K'  '' 


REPRODUCED    fROM    A    PHOTOGRAPH    ON    PORCEtMN 
IN     THE    POSSESSION    OF    M«*    LOEWE 


DIARIES     OF 

SIR  MOSES 
AND      LADY     MONTEFIORE 

COMPRISING  THEIR  LIFE  AND  WORK  AS  RECORDED 
IN  THEIR  DIARIES  FROM  1812  TO  1883. 

WITH  THE  ADDRESSES  AND  SPEECHES  OF  SIR  MOSES;  HIS  CORRESPONDENCE  WITH 

MINISTERS,     AMBASSADORS,    AND     REPRESENTATIVES    OF     PUBLIC     BODIES; 

PERSONAL  NARRATIVES  OF  HIS  MISSIONS  IN  THE  CAUSE  OF  HUMANITY; 

FIRMANS  AND  EDICTS  OF  EASTERN  MONARCHS ;  HIS  OPINIONS  ON 

FINANCIAL,    POLITICAL,    AND    RELIGIOUS    SUBJECTS,    AND 

ANECDOTES  AND   INCIDENTS  REFERRING  TO   MEN 

OF  HIS  TIME,   AS   RELATED   BY   HIMSELF. 

EDITED  BY 

DR    L.    LOEWE, 

KEMBER  OF  THE  ROYAL  ASIATIC  SOCIETY  OF  GREAT  BRITAIN  AND  IRELAND  ;    OF  THE  SOCIETB 

ASIATIQUE  OF  PARIS  ;  OF  THE  NUMISMATIC  SOCIETY  OF  LONDON,  ETC.  (ONE  OF  THB 

MEMBERS  OF  THE  MISSION  TO  DAMASCUS  AND  CONSTANTINOPLE  UNDER 

THE  LATE  SIR  MOSES  MONTEFIORE,  BART.,  IN  THE  YEAR  1840). 

ASSISTED  BY  HIS  SON. 

In  <cEto0  'Bolttmcg 
WITH    ILLUSTRATIONS 

VOL,  I. 


CHICAGO: 
BELFORD-CLARKE    CO. 

1890. 


r 

'I 


8 


j 
u 


ANCIENT  COAT  OF  ARMS  OF  THE  MONTEFIORE  FAMILY, 
explained  on  page  6. 


( The  rights  of  translation  and  of  reproduction  are  reserved. ) 


COPYRIGHT— BELFORD-CLARKE  Co.,  CHICAGO, 


PREFACE. 


IN  submitting  to  the  public  the  Memoirs,  including  the 
Diaries,  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore,  I  deem  it 
desirable  to  explain  the  motives  by  which  I  have  been  actuated, 
as  well  as  the  sources  from  which  most  of  my  information  has 
been  drawn. 

The  late  Sir  Moses  Montefiore,  from  a  desire  to  show  his 
high  appreciation  of  the  services  rendered  to  the  cause  of 
humanity  by  Judith,  Lady  Montefiore,  his  affectionate  partner 
in  life,  directed  the  executors  of  his  last  will  "  to  permit  me  to 
take  into  my  custody  and  care  all  the  notes,  memoranda, 
journals,  and  manuscripts  in  his  possession  written  by  his  deeply 
lamented  wife,  to  assist  me  in  writing  a  Memoir  of  her  useful 
and  blessed  life." 

The  executors  having  promptly  complied  with  these  instruc- 
tions, I  soon  found  myself  in  possession  of  five  journals  by 
Lady  Montefiore,  besides  many  valuable  letters  and  papers, 
including  documents  of  great  importance,  as  well  as  of  no  less 
than  eighty-five  diaries  of  Sir  Moses  Montefiore,  dating  from 
1814  to  1883,  all  in  his  own  handwriting. 

In  addition  to  such  facilities  for  producing  a  Memoir,  I  had 
the  special  advantage  of  personally  knowing  both  Sir  Moses 
and  Lady  Montefiore  for  many  years.  There  is  an  entry  in  the 
diaries  referring  to  a  dinner  at  the  house  of  one  of  their  relatives 
on  the  27th  of  November  1835  (where  I  met  them  for  the  first 
time),  and  to  a  visit  I  subsequently  paid  them  at  East  Cliff 
Lodge,  Ramsgate,  by  special  invitation,  from  the  3rd  to  the 
1 3th  of  December  of  the  same  year. 

I  also  had  the  privilege  of  accompanying  them  on  thirteen 

philanthropic  missions  to  foreign  lands,  some  of  which  were 

undertaken  by  both  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore,  and  others 

by  Sir  Moses  alone  after  Lady  Montefiore's  death.     The  first 

I.  b 


2086569 


vi  Preface. 

of  these  missions  took  place  in  the  year  1839,  and  the  last  in 

1874. 

A  no  less  important  circumstance,  which  I  may  perhaps  be 
allowed  to  mention,  is,  that  I  was  with  Sir  Moses  on  the  last 
day  of  his  life,  until  he  breathed  his  last,  and  had  the  satisfac- 
tion of  hearing  from  his  own  lips,  immediately  before  his  death, 
the  expression  of  his  approval  of  my  humble  endeavours  to 
assist  him,  as  far  as  lay  in  my  power,  in  attaining  the  various 
objects  he  had  in  view. 

However  desirous  I  might  have  been  to  adhere  strictly  to 
his  wishes,  I  found  it  impossible  to  write  a  Memoir  of  Lady 
Montefiore  without  making  it,  at  the  same  time,  a  Memoir  of 
Sir  Moses  himself,  both  of  them  having  been  so  closely  united 
in  all  their  benevolent  works  and  projects.  It  appeared  to  me 
most  desirable,  therefore,  in  order  to  convey  to  the  reader  a 
correct  idea  of  the  contents  of  the  book,  to  entitle  it  "  The 
Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore." 

In  order,  however,  to  comply  with  the  instructions  of  the 
will,  I  shall,  in  giving  the  particulars  of  their  family  descent, 
first  introduce  the  parentage  of  Lady  Montefiore. 

To  assist  the  reader  in  finding  the  exact  month  and  year 
referring  to  Hebrew  Communal  affairs,  I  have  always  given  the 
Hebrew  date  conjointly  with  that  of  the  Christian  era,  more 
especially  as  all  the  entries  in  the  diaries  invariably  have  these 
double  dates. 

L.  LOEWE. 


i  OSCAR  VILLAS,  BROADSTAIRS,  KENT, 
aiJ/  June  1887  (5647  A.M.). 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PAGE 

Birth  of  Sir  Moses  Montefiore  at  Leghorn— His  Family — Early  Years          .  I 


CHAPTER  II. 
Early  Education— Becomes  a  Stockbroker— His  Marriage    .  .  .  12 

CHAPTER  III. 

Extracts  from  the  Diaries — Financial  Transactions — Public  Events  before 
and  after  Waterloo — Elected  President  of  the  Spanish  and  Portu- 
guese Hebrew  Community  ......  19 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Daily   Life — Death  of   his  Brother    Abraham — An   early   Panama   Canal 

Project  ........  25 

CHAPTER  V. 
First  Journey  to  Jerusalem     ...••••  36 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  leave  Alexandria — A  Sea  Voyage  Sixty  Years  ago  .  47 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Arrival   in  England — Illness  of  Mr  Montefiore— The  Struggle  for  Jewish 

Emancipation  ........  55 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
Lady  Hester  Stanhope — Her  Eccentricities—  Parliament  and  the  Jews  .  63 


viii  Contents. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

PACK 

Mr  Montefiore  presented  to  the  King— Spanish  and  Portuguese  Jews  in 

London  in  1829  ,.•••••69 

CHAPTER  X. 

Interview  with  the  Duke  of  Wellington  in  furtherance  of  the  Jewish  Cause 
— The  Duke's  Dilatory  Tactics— Laying  the  Foundation-stone  of  the 
Synagogue  at  Hereson  ••••••  7° 

CHAPTER  XL 

Lord  Brougham  and  the  Jews — The  Jewish  Poor  in  London — Mr  Monte- 
fiore hands  his  Broker's  Medal  to  his  Brother— Dedication  of  the 
Synagogue  at  Hereson— The  Lords  reject  the  Jewish  Disabilities  Bill  86 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Illness  of  Mr  Montefiore— His  Recovery— Sir  David  Salomons  proposed  as 
Sheriff— Visit  of  the  Duchess  of  Kent  and  Princess  Victoria  to  Rams- 
gate — Mr  Montefiore's  Hospitals— Naming  of  the  Vessel  Britannia 
by  Mrs  Montefiore — A  Loan  of  Fifteen  Millions  •  •  •  93 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Death  of  Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild — Mr  Montefiore  visits  Dublin — Becomes  the 
First  Jewish  Member  of  the  Royal  Society — Death  of  William  IV. — 
Mr  Montefiore  elected  Sheriff  .  .  .  •  •  103 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

The  Jews'  Marriage  Bill — Mr  Montefiore  at  the  Queen's  Drawing-Room — 

His  Inauguration  as  Sheriff     .  .  .  .  .  .          Ill 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Death  of  Mr  Montefiore's  Uncle — Mr  Montefiore  rides  in  the  Lord  Mayor's 
Procession — Is  Knighted — His  Speech  at  the  Lord  Mayor's  Banquet 
— Presents  Petition  on  behalf  of  the  Jews  to  Parliament  •  .  119 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Destruction  of  the  Royal  Exchange— City  Traditions— "Jews'  Walk"— Sir 

Moses  dines  at  Lambeth  Palace  .  .  ,  .  .  130 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Another  Petition  to  Parliament — Sir  Moses  intercedes  successfully  for  the 

Life  of  a  Convict— Death  of  Lady  Montefiore's  Brother          .  .  137 


Contents.  ix 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

PAGE 

Bartholomew  Fair — Sir  Moses  earns  the  Thanks  of  the  City — Preparations 
for  a  Second  Journey  to  the  Holy  Land — The  Journey — Adventures 
on  Road  and  River  in  France  .  •  •  •  •  145 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Genoa,  Carrara,  Leghorn,  and  Rome— Disquieting  Rumours — Quarantine 

Precautions — Arrival  at  Alexandria— Travel  in  the  Holy  Land  .          153 


CHAPTER    XX. 

Reception  at  Safed — Sad  Condition  of  the  People — Sir  Moses'  Project 
for  the  Cultivation  of  the  Land  in  Palestine  by  the  Jews — Death 
of  the  Chief  Rabbi  of  the  German  Congregation  in  Jerusalem 
— Tiberias  ........  162 


CHAPTER   XXI. 

Invitation  from  the  Portuguese  Congregation  at  Jerusalem  —  Sanitary 
Measures  in  the  Holy  City — The  Wives  of  the  Governor  of  Tiberias 
visit  Lady  Montefiore— A  Pleasant  Journey — Arrival  at  Jerusalem  .  171 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

The  Tomb  of  David — Spread  of  the  Plague  —  Mussulman  Fanaticism — 
Suspicious  Conduct  of  the  Governor  of  Jerusalem — Nayani,  Beth 
Dagon,  Jaffa,  Emkhalet,  and  Tantura  .  .  •  .  180 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

Encampment  near  Mount  Carmel — State  of  the  Country — Child  Marriages 

in  the  Portuguese  Community  at  Haifa— Arrival  in  Beyrout  .  .  188 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

On  Board  the  Acheron — Sir  Moses'  Plans  on  behalf  of  the  Jews  in 
Palestine— Interview  with  Boghoz  Bey — Proposed  Joint  Stock  Banks 
in  the  East  .....««•  196 


CHAPTER   XXV. 

Arrival  at  Malta— Home  again— Boghoz  Bey  returns  no  Answer— Touching 
Appeal  from  the  Persecuted  Jews  of  Damascus  and  Rhodes — Revival 
of  the  old  Calumny  about  killing  Christians  to  put  their  Blood  in 
Passover  Cakes  .......  204 


Contents. 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

PAGE 

Indignation  Meetings  in  London — M.  Cremieux — Lord  Palmerston's  Action 
—  Sir  Moses  starts  on  a  Mission  to  the  East  — Origin  of  the  Passover 
Cake  Superstition  .  .  •  •  .  x  .  •  213 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

Arrival  at  Leghorn — Alexandria  — Sir  Moses'  Address  to  the  Pasha — Action 

of  the  Grand  Vizir        ....'.  .222 


CHAPTER   XXVIII. 

Authentic  Accounts  of  the  Circumstances  attending  the  Accusations  against 
the  Jews — Terrible  Sufferings  of  the  Accused — Evidence  of  their 
Innocence — Witnesses  in  their  favour  Bastinadoed  to  Death  .  .  229 


CHAPTER '  XXIX. 

Affairs  in  the  East — Ultimatum  from  the  Powers — Gloomy  Prospects  of  the 
Mission — Negotiations  with  the  Pasha — Excitement  in  Alexandria — 
Illness  of  Lady  Montcfiore  ••••••  240 


CHAPTER    XXX. 

The  English  Government  and  the  Pasha— Mohhammad  Ali  and  the  Slaves 
— The  Pasha  promises  to  release  the  Damascus  Prisoners  —  He 
grants  them  an  ' '  Honourable  Liberation  ....  248 


CHAPTER   XXXI. 

Interview  with  the  Pasha — Liberation  of  the  Jews  of  Damascus — Public 
Rejoicings  and  Thanksgiving — Departure  of  Sir  Moses  for  Con- 
stantinople .  ...  .  .  .  .  .  256 

CHAPTER   XXXII. 

Constantinople — Condition  of  the  Jewish  Residents — Interview  with  Rechid 

Pasha— Audience  with  the  Sultan — He  grants  a  Finnan         .  .  266 

CHAPTER   XXXIII. 

Distress  among  the  Jews  at  Salonica — Oppressive  Laws  with  regard  to  them 

— Text  of  the  Firman — Its  Promulgation        ....          275 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Departure  from  Malta — Naples — Rome — A  Shameful  Inscription — Pre- 
judices against  the  Jews  at  the  Vatican  ....  282 


Contents.  xi 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

PAGE 

Monsignor  Bruti  and  his  Hints— Cardinal  Riverola— Ineffectual  Attempts  to 
Interview  the  Pope — Returning  Homewards — Alarming  Accident — 
— The  Governor  of  Genoa-  Interview  with  King  Louis  Philippe  .  289 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Home  again — Sir  Moses  presents  a  Facsimile  of  the  Firman  to  the  Queen — 
Her  Majesty's  Special  Mark  of  Favour — Reform  Movement  among 
the  London  Jews — Appeal  for  English  Protection  from  the  Jews  in 
the  East  ........  298 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

Presentation  from  Hamburg— Sir  Moses  meets  the  King  of  Prussia — 
Address  to  Prince  Albert — Attempt  on  the  Queen's  Life — Petitions, 
to  Sir  Moses  from  Russia  ......  305 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

Address  and  Testimonial  from  the  Jews — Sir  Moses'  Speech  in  reply — 
Death  of  the  Duke  of  Sussex — The  Deportation  Ukase  in  Russia — 
Opening  of  the  New  Royal  Exchange  — Sir  Moses  made  Sheriff  of 
Kent  .........  3*3 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

Affairs  in  Morocco— Letter  to  the  Emperor— His  Reply—  Deputation  to  Sir 
Robert  Peel— Death  of  Lady  Montefiore's  Brother  Isaac— Sir  Moses 
sets  out  for  Russia  .......  320 


CHAPTER  XL. 

Perils  of  Russian  Travelling  in  Winter—  Arrival  at  St  Petersburg—  Inter- 
views   with    Count    Nesselrode    and    the    Czar  —  Count    Kisseleffs 


Prejudices 


CHAPTER  XLI. 


Count  Kisseleff  is  more  Conciliatory—  Sir  Moses  sets  out  for  Wilna— 
Arrival  at  Wilna—  The  Jews'  Answers  to  the  Charges  of  Russian 
Officials  339 


CHAPTER  XLII. 

Fhe  Jewish   Schools  at  Wilna— Wilcomir— Deplorable  Condition  of  the 

Hebrew  Community  in  that  Town — Kowno — Warsaw  344 


xii  Contents. 

CHAPTER  XLIII. 

PAGE 

Deputation  from   Krakau— The  Polish  Jews  and  their  Garb— Sir   Moses 

leaves  Warsaw— Posen,  Berlin,  and  Frankfort — Home  .  .  351 

CHAPTER  XLIV. 

Sir  Moses  receives  the  Congratulations  of  his  English  Co-religionists — His 
Exhaustive  Report  to  Count  Kisseleff — Examination  of  the  Charges 
against  the  Jews— Their  Alleged  Disinclination  to  engage  in  Agri- 
culture ........  359 

CHAPTER  XLV. 

Report  to  Count  Ouvaroff  on  the  State  of  Education  among  the  Jews  in 

Russia  and  Poland — Vindication  of  the  Loyalty  of  the  Jews  .  .  374 

CHAPTER  XLVI. 

Report  to  Count   Kisseleff  on  the  State  of  the  Jews  in  Poland — Protest 

against  the  Restrictions  to  which  they  were  subjected  .  .  381 

CHAPTER  XLVII. 

The  Czar's  Reply  to  Sir  Moses'  Representations — Count  Ouvaroffs  Views — 
Sir  Moses  again  writes  to  Count  Kisseleff — Sir  Moses  is  created  a 
Baronet ,  .  385 


DIARIES  OF 
SIR  MOSES  AND  LADY  MONTEFIORE 


CHAPTER  I. 

BIRTH  OF  SIR   MOSES   MONTEFIORE  AT   LEGHORN — HIS  FAMILY 
— EARLY  YEARS. 

HP  HE  neighbourhood  of  the  Tower  of  London  was,  a  hundred 
JL  years  ago,  the  centre  of  attraction  for  thousands  of  persons 
engaged  in  financial  pursuits,  not  so  much  on  account  of  the 
protection  which  the  presence  of  the  garrison  might  afford  in 
case  of  tumult,  as  of  the  convenience  offered  by  the  locality  from 
its  vicinity  to  the  wharves,  the  Custom  House,  the  Mint,  the 
Bank,  the  Royal  Exchange,  and  many  important  counting- 
houses  and  places  of  business.  For  those  who  took  an  interest 
in  Hebrew  Communal  Institutions,  it  possessed  the  additional 
advantage  of  being  within  ten  minutes  or  a  quarter  of  an  hour's 
walk  of  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  Synagogue  and  the  Great 
German  Synagogue,  together  with  their  Colleges  and  Schools, 
and  several  minor  places  of  worship. 

Tower  Hill,  the  Minories,  and  the  four  streets  enclosing  the 
Tenter  Ground  were  then  favourite  places  of  residence  for  the 
merchant ;  and  in  one  of  these,  Great  Prescott  Street,  lived  Levi 
Barent  Cohen,  the  father  of  Judith,  afterwards  Lady  Montefiore. 

He  was  a  wealthy  merchant  from  Amsterdam,  who  settled  in 
England,  where  fortune  favoured  his  commercial  undertakings. 

In  his  own  country  his  name  is  to  this  day  held  in  great 
respect.  He  not  only  during  his  lifetime  kept  up  a  cordial 
correspondence  with  his  friends  and  relatives — who  were  in- 
debted to  him  for  many  acts  of  kindness — but,  wishing  to  have 
I.  A 


2  Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

his  name  commemorated  in  the  House  of  Prayer  by  some  act  of 
charity,  he  bequeathed  a  certain  sum  of  money  to  be  given 
annually  to  the  poor,  in  "consideration  of  which,  he  desired  to 
have  some  of  the  Daily  Prayers  offered  up  from  the  very  place 
which  he  used  to  occupy  in  the  Synagogue  of  his  native  city. 

He  was  a  man,  upright  in  all  his  transactions,  and  a  strict 
adherent  to  the  tenets  of  his  religion.  He  was  of  a  very  kind 
and  sociable  disposition,  which  prompted  him  to  keep  open 
house  for  his  friends  and  visitors,  whom  he  always  received 
with  the  most  generous  hospitality.  He  was  first  married  to 
Fanny,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Diamantschleifer  of  Amsterdam, 
by  whom  he  had  three  children :  two  sons,  Solomon  and  Joseph, 
and  one  daughter,  Fanny. 

Solomon  became  the  father-in-law  of  the  late  Sir  David 
•Salomons,  and  Joseph  the  father  of  the  late  Mr  Louis  Cohen. 
Fanny  married  Salomon  Hyman  Cohen  Wessels,  of  Amster- 
dam, a  gentleman  who  was  well  known  at  that  time  for  his  phil- 
anthropy, and  whose  family,  at  the  period  of  Napoleon  I.,  was 
held  in  great  esteem  among  the  aristocracy  of  Holland. 

Mrs  Levi  Barent  Cohen  unfortunately  died  at  an  early  age, 
and  Mr  Cohen  married  her  sister  Lydia,  by  whom  he  had  seven 
•  children:  five  daughters — Hannah,  Judith,  Jessy,  Adelaide,  and 
.Esther;  and  two  sons — Isaac  and  Benjamin. 

Hannah  became  the  wife  of  Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild  ;  Judith 
-was  married  to  Mr  Moses  Montefiore;  Jessy  to  Mr  Davidson  ; 
.Adelaide  to  Mr  John  Hebbert ;  and  Esther  to  Mr  S.  M.  Samuel, 
ithe  father  of  Mr  George  Samuel,  and  grandfather  of  Baron 
:Henry  de  Worms,  M.P.  Isaac  became  the  father-in-law  of 
JBaron  Meyer  de  Rothschild,  and  Benjamin  the  father  of  Mr 
Arthur  Cohen,  Q.C.,  and  Mr  Nath.  B.  Cohen. 

Judith,  one  of  the  subjects  of  these  Memoirs,  was  born, 
according  to  the  entry  in  one  of  Sir  Moses'  Diaries,  on  the  2oth 
February  1784  ;  her  birthday,  however,  was  generally  celebrated 
at  East  Cliff  Lodge  in  the  month  of  October,  in  conjunction 
with  another  festivity  held  there  on  the  first  Saturday  after  the 
Tabernacle  Holidays. 

With  regard  to  most  persons  noted  for  their  character  or 
ability,  there  exists  a  tradition  of  some  unusual  occurrence 
happening  during  their  early  life.  In  the  case  of  Lady  Monte- 
iiore,  there  is  an  event  which  she  once  related  to  me  herself. 


Birth  of  Sir  Moses  Montefiore.  3 

"  When  I  was  a  little  girl,"  she  said,  "  about  three  or  four 
years  old,  I  fell  over  the  railing  of  a  staircase,  quite  two  storeys 
high,  into  the  hall  below.  Everybody  in  the  house  thought  I 
must  be  killed,  but  when  they  came  to  pick  me  up  they  found 
me  quietly  seated  as  if  nothing  in  the  world  had  happened 
to  me." 

It  was  a  characteristic  of  hers  which  was  subsequently  much 
noticed  by  those  around  her,  that,  no  matter  in  what  circum- 
stances she  was  placed,  when  others  were  excited  or  depressed 
by  some  painful  event  or  the  fear  of  approaching  peril,  she 
would  remain  calm,  and  retain  her  presence  of  mind.  She 
would  endeavour  to  cheer  and  strengthen  others  by  words  of 
hope,  and  where  it  was  possible  to  avoid  any  threatened  danger, 
she  would  quietly  give  her  opinion  as  to  the  best  course  to  be 
pursued. 

She  received  from  her  earliest  childhood  an  excellent  English 
education,  and  her  studies  in  foreign  languages  were  most  suc- 
cessful. She  spoke  French,  German,  and  Italian  fluently,  and 
read  and  translated  correctly  the  Hebrew  language  of  her 
prayers,  as  well  as  portions  of  the  Pentateuch,  generally  read  in 
the  Synagogues  on  Sabbaths  and  Festivals. 

Nor  were  the  accomplishments  of  music  and  drawing 
neglected ;  but  that  which  characterised  and  enhanced  the  value 
of  her  education  most  Was  "  the  fear  of  God,"  which,  she  had 
been  taught,  constituted  "  the  beginning  of  knowledge." 

By  the  example  set  in  her  parents'  house,  this  lesson  took  an 
especially  deep  root  in  her  heart.  One  day  at  Park  Lane  the 
conversation  happened  to  turn  on  the  practice  of  religious 
observances,  and  Lady  Montefiore  related  what  had  occurred 
when  she  was  still  under  the  parental  roof. 

"  Once,"  she  said,  "  on  the  fast-day  for  the  destruction  of 
Jerusalem,  we  were  sitting,  as  is  customary,  in  mourning  attire, 
on  low  stools,  reciting  the  Lamentations  of  Jeremiah.  Suddenly 
the  servant  entered  the  room,  closely  followed  by  Admiral  Sir 
Sidney  Smith,  and  several  other  gentlemen.  My  sisters  became 
somewhat  embarrassed,  not  liking  to  be  thus  surprised  in  our 
peculiar  position,  but  I  quietly  kept  my  seat,  and  when  Sir 
Sidney  asked  the  reason  of  our  being  seated  so  low,  I  replied, 
"This  is  the  anniversary  of  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem,  which 
is  kept  by  conforming  Jews  as  a  day  of  mourning  and  humilia- 


4  Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montcfiore. 

tion.  The  valour  exhibited  by  our  ancestors  on  this  sad  occa- 
sion is  no  doubt  well  known  to  you,  Sir  Sidney,  and  to  the 
other  gentlemen  present,'  and  I  feel  sure  that  you  will  under- 
stand our  grief  that  it  was  unavailing  to  save  the  Holy  City  and 
the  Temple.  But  we  treasure  the  memory  of  it  as  a  bright 
example  to  ourselves  and  to  all  following  generations,  how  to 
fight  and  to  sacrifice  our  lives  for  the  land  in  which  we  were 
born  and  which  gives  us  shelter  and  protection." 

"  Sir  Sidney  and  the  other  gentlemen,"  she  said,  "  appeared 
to  be  much  pleased  with  the  explanation  I  gave  them  ;  they 
observed  that  it  was  a  most  noble  feeling  which  prompts  the 
true  patriot  to  mourn  for  the  brave  who  have  fallen  on  the  field 
of  battle  for  their  country  ;  and  that  the  memory  of  the  struggles 
of  the  Jews  in  Palestine  to  remain  the  rightful  masters  of  the 
land  which  God  had  apportioned  to  them  as  an  inheritance, 
would  ever  remain,  not  only  in  the  heart  of  every  brave  man  jn 
the  British  realm,  but  also  in  that  of  every  right-thinking  man 
in  all  other  parts  of  the  world  as  a  glorious  monument  of  their 
dauntless  valour  and  fervent  devotion  to  a  good  and  holy  cause." 

Lady  Montefiore  not  only  appreciated  the  education  she 
received,  but  also  remembered  with  deep  gratitude  all  those 
who  had  imparted  instruction  to  her.  Her  friends  have  often 
been  the  bearers  of  generous  pensions  to  gentlemen  who  had 
been  her  teachers  when  she  was  young,  and  they  never  heard 
her  mention  their  names  without  expressions  of  gratitude. 

In  addition  to  her  other  good  qualities,  there  was  one  which 
is  not  always  to  be  met  with  among  those  who  happen  to  be  in 
possession  of  great  wealth,  and  with  whom  a  few  shillings  are 
not  generally  an  object  worth  entering  in  an  account-book. 
With  her,  when  her  turn  came  among  her  sisters  to  superintend 
the  management  of  the  house,  the  smallest  item  of  expense  was 
entered  with  scrupulous  accuracy,  and  whilst  ever  generous 
towards  the  deserving  and  needy  who  applied  to  her  for  assist- 
ance, she  would  never  sanction  the  slightest  waste. 

I  shall  presently,  as  I  proceed  in  my  description  of  her 
character,  have  an  opportunity  of  showing  how,  in  her  future 
position  as  a  wife  and  philanthropist,  all  the  excellences  of  her 
character  were  turned  to  the  best  account  for  the  benefit  of 
those  to  whom  she  and  her  husband  rendered  assistance  in 
times  of  distress. 


Bi-t'i  of  Sir  Moses  Montefiore.  5 

The  reader  being  now  in  full  possession  of  all  that  is  neces- 
sary for  him  to  know  of  the  parentage  and  education  of  Miss 
Judith  Cohen,  I  propose  to  leave  her  for  the  present  under  her 
parental  roof,  in  Angel  Court,  Throgmorton  Street,  with  a 
loving  father  and  a  tenderly  affectionate  mother,  and  surrounded 
by  excellent  brothers  and  sisters  ;  some  of  them  employed  in 
commercial  pursuits,  others  in  study,  but  all  united  in  the  con 
templation  and  practice  of  works  of  brotherly  love  and  charity 
towards  their  fellow-beings.  To  proceed  with  the  lineage  of 
Sir  Moses. 

Sir  Moses  Montefiore  was  born  at  Leghorn,  whither  his 
parents  happened  to  repair,  either  on  business  or  on  a  visit  to 
their  relations,  a  few  weeks  before  that  event  took  place. 

According  to  an  entry  in  the  archives  of  the  Hebrew  Com- 
munity of  that  city,  he  first  saw  the  light  on  the  pth  of  Heshvan 
5545  A.M.,  corresponding  to  the  24th  of  October  1784. 

During  his  visit  to  Leghorn  in  the  year  1841,  an  opportunity 
was  offered  to  him,  when  visiting  the  schools  of  the  community, 
to  inspect  the  archives  in  my  presence,  and  he  expressed  his 
satisfaction  at  their  accuracy. 

Some  doubt  having  been  entertained  by  several  of  his  bio- 
graphers of  the  correctness  of  the  date  of  his  birth,  and  Sir 
Moses  having  generally  received  and  accepted  the  congratula- 
tions of  his  friends  on  the  the  8th  of  Heshvan,  it  will  not  be  out 
of  place  to  give  here  an  exact  copy  of  the  original  entry  in  the 
archives  in  the  Italian  language,  just  as  it  has  recently  been 
forwarded  to  me  by  the  Cavaliere  Costa  of  Leghorn. 

It  reads  as  follows  : — 

"  Nei  registri  di  Nascite  che  esistone  nelV  archivle  delle  Universita 
Israelitica  a  C.  8,  si  trova  la  seguente  nascita : — 

"9  Heshvan,  5545 — 24  Ottobre  1784. 

"  Domenica. 

"  A  Joseph  di  Moise  Haim  e  Raquel  Montefiore  un  figlio,  che 
chiamarone  Moise  Haim." 

(Translation.} 

"  In  the  registers  of  births,  which  are  preserved  in  the  archives  of 
the  Hebrew  community,  there  is  to  be  found  on  p.  8  the  following  entry 
of  birth  : — 


6  Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte  fiore. 

"9th  Heshvan  5545  A.M.,  24th  October  1784. 

"  Sunday. 

"  Unto  Joseph,  son  of  Moses  Haim,  and  Rachel  Montefiore,  a  son 
was  born,  whom  they  call  Moses  Haim." 

Sir  Moses  never  signed  his  name  "  Haim,"  nor  did  his  mother 
in  her  letters  to  him  ever  call  him  so.  His  father  Joseph,  after 
recovering  from  a  dangerous  illness,  adopted  the  name  of  Eliya- 
hoo  (the  Eternal  is  my  God)  in  addition  to  that  of  Joseph. 

Various  opinions  have  been  expressed  respecting  the  early 
history  of  Sir  Moses  Montefiore's  ancestors,  and  the  place 
whence  they  originally  came,  to  Modena,  Ancona,  Fano,  Rome, 
and  Leghorn. 

A  manuscript  in  the  library  of  "Judith  Lady  Montefiore's 
Theological  College"  at  Ramsgate  —  containing  a  design  of  the 
original  armorial  bearings  of  the  Montefiore  family,  surrounded 
by  suitable  mottoes,  and  a  biographical  account  of  the  author  of 
the  work  to  which  the  manuscript  refers  —  will  greatly  help  us  in 
elucidating  the  subject. 

The  manuscript  is  divided  into  two  parts  :  one  -bears  the 
name  of  "  Kan  Tsippor  "  (niBV  jp),  "  The  bird's  nest,"  and  treats  of 
the  Massorah  of  the  Psalms,  i.e.,  their  divisions,  accents,  vowels, 
grammatical  forms,  and  letters  necessary  for  the  preservation  of 
the  text  ;  and  the  other,  the  name  of  "  Can  Perakhim  "  (DTPS  fa), 
'  The  garden  of  flowers,"  containing  poems,  special  prayers, 
family  records,  and  descriptions  of  important  events. 

The  hereditary  marks  of  honour  which  served  to  denote  the 
descent  and  alliances  of  the  Montefiore  family  consisted  of  "a 
lion  rampant,"  "  a  cedar  tree,"  and  "a  number  of  little  hills  one 
above  the  other,"  each  of  these  emblems  being  accompanied  by 
a  Hebrew  inscription.  Thus  the  lion  rampant  has  the  motto— 


n«a  -ina  -nn 
"  Be  strong  as  a  lion  to  perform  the  will  of  thy  Father  in  Heaven." 

The  hills  bear  the  motto— 


"  (When)  I  lift  up  mine  eyes  unto  the  hills  (I  ask)  whence  cometh 
my  help?    [Answer]  My  help  cometh  from  the  Eternal." 
And  the  cedar  tree  — 


nx3  my  noro 

"  The  righteous  shall  nourish  like  a  palm  tree  ;  he  shall  grow  like  a 
cedar  in  Lebanon." 


His  Family.  7- 

These  emblems  are  precisely  the  same  as  those  which  Sir 
Moses  had  in  his  coat-of-arms,  with  the  exception  of  the  inscrip- 
tions. Probably  he  thought  they  were  too  long  to  be  engraved 
on  a  signet,  and  he  substituted  for  them  the  words  "Jerusalem" 
and  "  Think  and  Thank." 

The  author  of  the  manuscript  bears  the  name  of  Joseph, 
and  designates  himself,  on  the  title-page,  as  the  son  of  the  aged 
and  learned  Jacob  Montefiore  of  Pesaro,  adding  the  information 
that  he  is  a  resident  of  Ancona,  and  a  son-in-law  of  the  Rev. 
Isaac  Elcostantin,  the  spiritual  head  of  the  Hebrew  congregation 
in  that  place.  The  manuscript  bears  the  date  of  5501  A.M. — 
1740. 

In  his  biography,  the  author,  after  rendering  thanks  to 
Heaven  for  numerous  mercies  which  had  been  bestowed  on  him, 
gives  the  following  account  of  himself  and  family : — 

"  I  was  eleven  years  old  when  I  was  called  upon  to  assist, 
conjointly  with  my  three  brothers,  Moses,  Raphael,  and  Maz- 
liakh,  and  five  sisters,  in  providing  for  the  maintenance  of  the 
family."  Moses,  the  eldest  of  his  brothers,  died  at  the  age  of 
thirty-two,  and  Joseph  (the  biographer)  entered  the  business  of 
Sabbati  ZevLMorini  of  Pesaro.  Being  prosperous  in  his  com- 
mercial pursuits,  he  provided  for  his  sisters,  probably  by  giving 
to  each  of  them  a  suitable  dowry.  One  of  them,  Flaminia  by 
name,  became  the  wife  of  a  celebrated  preacher,  Nathaniel  Levi, 
the  minister  of  the  congregation  of  Pesaro. 

The  father,  Jacob  Montefiore,  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-three, 
and  his  sons  went  into  business  with  a  certain  Cartoni  of  Lisina. 
They  appear  at  first  to  have  met  with  success,  but  the  sudden 
death  of  the  head  of  the  firm  caused  the  collapse  of  the 
business. 

Joseph  Montefiore  subsequently  married  Justa  or  Justina,  the 
granddaughter  of  the  Rev.  Abraham  Elcostantin  of  Ancona. 
With  a  view  of  carrying  on  their  business  to  greater  advantage 
the  brothers  separated  and  removed  to  different  parts  of  Italy,  and 
Joseph  himself,  guided  by  the  counsel  of  his  wife,  left  Pesaro  for 
Ancona  for  a  similar  purpose. 

His  brother-in-law  died  at  that  time  in  Modena,  and  Joseph 
was  in  a  sufficiently  prosperous  position  to  be  able  to  assist  the 
widow  and  her  children. 

The  latter  grew  up  and  married.     One  of  them,  a  daughter, 


8  Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

went  with  her  husband,  Samuel  Nachman,  to  Jerusalem,  where, 
from  religious  motives,  they  settled. 

One  of  his  nephews,  Nathaniel  Montefiore,  became  a  distin- 
guished poet,  and  the  manuscript  in  question  contains  a  very 
beautiful  composition  of  his  in  praise  of  the  book  (Kan  Tsippor) 
and  its  author. 

Joseph  Montefiore  resided  for  some  time  in  Rome,  also  in 
Fano.  There  are  prayers  in  the  book  which  he  composed  during 
his  stay  in  each  of  those  places. 

From  these  statements  it  would  appear  that  the  family  of 
Montefiore,  from  which  Sir  Moses  descended,  first  came  to 
Pesaro.  « 

Signer  P.  M.  Arcantoni,  the  Syndic  of  the  Municipality  of 
Montefiore  dell'aso,  in  the  province  of  Ascoli-Picerno,  expressed 
his  strong  belief,  on  the  occasion  of  his  offering  to  Sir  Moses  the 
congratulations  of  the  commune  on  his  completing  the  hundredth 
year  of  his  life,  that  the  ancestors  of  Sir  Moses  had  settled  in 
that  place. 

From  Ancona,  as  has  been  stated,  several  members  of  the 
Montefiore  family  came  to  Leghorn,  from  which  city  at  a  very 
early  period  they  emigrated  to  England. 

The  grandfather  of  Sir  Moses,  Moses  Haim  (or  Vita)  Mon- 
tefiore, and  his  grandmother,  Esther  Racah,  a  daughter  of 
Massa'ood  Racah  of  Leghorn,  also  left  Italy  and  settled  in 
London,  where  their  son  Joseph  (born  i$th  October  1759,  died 
nth  January  1804)  married  Rachel,  the  daughter  of  Abraham 
Lumbroso  de  Mattos  Mocatta,  who  became  the  mother  of  Sir 
Moses. 

They  resided  after  their  marriage  at  No.  3  Kennington  Ter- 
race, Vauxhall,  and  were  blessed  with  eight  children,  three  sons, 
Moses  (the  subject  of  these  memoirs),  Abraham,  and  Horatio, 
and  five  daughters,  Sarah,  Esther,  Abigail,  Rebecca,  and 
Justina. 

Abraham  first  married  a  daughter  of  Mr  George  Hall,  of  the 
London  Stock  Exchange  ;  on  her  death,  he  married  Henrietta 
Rothschild,  a  sister  of  the  late  N.  M.  Rothschild,  by  whom  he 
had  two  sons,  Joseph  Meyer  of  Worth  Park,  and  Nathaniel 
Meyer  of  Coldeast,  and  two  daughters,  Charlotte  and  Louise. 
The  latter  became  the  wife  of  Sir  Antony  de  Rothschild. 

Horatio  married  Sarah,  a  daughter  of  David   Mocatta,  by 


House  at  Leghorn  in  which  Sir  Moses  was  born. 


See  Vol.  r.,fagtQ. 


His  Family.  9 

•whom  he  had  six  sons,  one  of  whom  (Mr  Emanuel  Montefiore) 
is  now  a  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  British  Army,  and  six 
daughters.  After  her  death  he  married  a  daughter  of  Abraham 
Montefiore. 

Sarah,  the  eldest  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Rachel  Montefiore, 
became  the  wife  of  Mr  Solomon  Sebag,  and  was  the  mother  of 
Mr  Joseph  Sebag  (now  J.  Sebag-Montefiore)  and  of  Mrs  Jemima 
Guadalla,  who  is  married  to  Mr  Haim  Guadalla.  After  the 
death  of  her  husband,  Mrs  Sebag  married  Mr  Moses  Asher 
Goldsmid,  the  brother  of  Sir  Isaac  Goldsmid. 

Esther,  the  second  daughter,  unfortunately  lost  her  life  at  the 
age  of  fifteen  through  an  accident  she  met  with  during  a  fire 
that  broke  out  in  the  house. 

Abigail,  the  third,  married  Mr  Benjamin  Gompertz,  a  distin- 
guished mathematician. 

Rebecca,  the  fourth,  married  Mr  Joseph  Salomons,  a  son  of 
Levi  Salomons,  of  Crosby  Square,  father  of  the  late  Sir  David 
Salomons,  Bart. 

Justina,  the  fifth,  became  the  wife  of  Mr  Benjamin  Cohen, 
the  brother  of  Lady  Montefiore,  and  mother  of  Mr  Arthur 
Cohen,  Q.C.,  M.P.,  and  Mr  Nathaniel  B.  Cohen. 

The  reader  is  now  invited  to  retrace  his  steps,  for  it  is  to 
Moses,  the  first-born  son  of  Joseph  and  Rachel  Montefiore,  that 
I  have  to  direct  his  attention.  He  must  leave  No.  3  Kennington 
Terrace  and  follow  me  in  imagination  to  Leghorn. 

Mr  Joseph  Montefiore  having  some  business  in  that  city, 
informed  his  wife  of  his  intention  to  proceed  to  Italy,  and  Mrs 
Montefiore  prevailed  upon  him  to  take  her  with  him. 

After  they  arrived  at  Leghorn,  we  find  them  in  the  house  of 
Signor  Moses  Haim  Racah,  celebrating  the  happy  event  of  the 
birth  of  a  son,  destined  to  become  the  champion  of  Israel. 

The  festivity  on  the  day  of  naming  (the  eighth  day  after  the 
birth  of  a  son)  is  generally  an  occasion  which  brings  together 
relatives,  friends,  heads  of  the  congregation,  and  officers  of  the 
Synagogue.  Offerings  are  made  by  all  present  for  charitable 
institutions,  and  prayers  recited  for  the  life  and  prosperity  of  the 
child.  It  is  therefore  not  a  matter  of  surprise  that  there  was  a 
large  assembly  of  the  Hebrew  community  of  Leghorn  on  that 
occasion. 

Signor  Racah,  being  his  great-uncle,  performed  the  duties  of 


10 


Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 


godfather,  and  ever  from  that  day,  and  up  to  the  year  .of  his 
death,  he  evinced  the  liveliest  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  god- 
son ;  when  the  latter  was  grown  up  the  affection  proved  mutual. 

Sir  Moses  when  speaking  of  him  used  to  say  that  he  had' 
greatly  endeared  himself  to  the  people  in  Leghorn  by  his  abilities, 
and  high  character.  He  cherished  the  most  benevolent  feelings 
towards  all  good  and  honest  men,  and  often,  in  times  of  grief 
and  calamity,  rendered  help  and  consolation  to  all  classes  of  the 
community.  Sir  Moses  held  him  in  great  veneration,  and  during 
his  stay  in  Italy  gave  special  orders  to  have  a  copy  of  his  like- 
ness procured  for  him.  A  facsimile  of  the  portrait  is  here  given, 
witii  an  inscription  in  Sir  Moses'  own  handwriting. 

In  his  will,  Sir  Moses,  referring  to  him  and  to  the  Synagogue 
at  Leghorn,  thus  expresses  himself — 

"  To  the  trustees  of  the  Synagogue  at  Leghorn  in  Italy,  of 
which  my  honoured  godfather  (deceased)  was  a  member,  in 
augmentation  of  the  fund  for  repairing  that  building,  I  bequeath 
^"500 ;  and  to  the  same  trustees,  as  a  fund  for  keeping  in  repair 
the  tomb  of  my  said  godfather  and  my  godmother,  Esther 
Racah,  his  wife,  £200." 

Two  or  three  years  before  his  death,  Sir  Moses  ordered  a 
coloured  drawing  of  these  tombs,  with  a  complete  copy  of  the 
epitaphs,  to  be  sent  to  him,  and  it  is  now  preserved  in  the  library 
of  the  College  at  Ramsgate. 

After  a  stay  of  several  months  at  Leghorn,  Mr  and  Mrs 
Montefiore  returned  to  England.  I  have  often  heard  descrip- 
tions of  that  homeward  journey  from  Mrs  Montefiore,  when  she 
used  to  visit  her  son  at  Park  Lane. 

"Moses,"  she  said,  "was  a  beautiful,  strong,  and  very  tall 
child,  but  yet  on  our  return  journey  to  England,  during  a  severe 
winter,  I  was  unwilling  to  entrust  him  to  a  stranger ;  I  myself 
acted  as  his  nurse,  and  many  and  many  a  time  I  felt  the  greatest 
discomfort  through  not  having  more  than  a  cup  of  coffee,  bread 
and  butter,  and  a  few  eggs  for  my  diet."  "  No  meat  of  any  de- 
scription," she  added,  "  passed  my  lips ;  my  husband  and  myself 
being  strict  observers  of  the  Scriptural  injunctions  as  to  diet." 
"  But  I  am  now,"  she  said,  with  a  pleasant  smife,  "  amply  repaid 
for  the  inconvenience  I  then  had  to  endure."  "  What  I  thought 
a  great  privation,  in  no  way  affected  the  state  of  my  health,  nor 
that  of  the  child  ;  and  I  feel  at  present  the  greatest  satisfaction 


Moses  Racah  of  Leghorn,  Godfather  and  Great  Uncle  of  Sir  Moses. 

See  Vol.  I,  page  10. 


His  Family.  1 1 

on  account  of  my  having  strictly  adhered  to  that  \vhich  I  thought 
was  right." 

In  the  course  of  time  several  more  children  were  born  to 
them,  all  of  whom  they  reared  most  tenderly,  and  over  whose 
education  they  watched  with  the  greatest  care.  They  had  the 
happiness  of  seeing  them  grow  up  in  health  and  strength, 
endowed  with  excellent  qualities,  Moses,  the  eldest,  and  the 
subject  of  these  memoirs,  being  already  conspicuous  for  his 
strength  of  understanding  and  kindness  of  disposition.  They 
continued  for  many  years  to  reside  at  Kennington  Terrace, 
Vauxhall,  in  the  same  house  in  which  they  took  up  their  residence 
immediately  after  their  marriage.  After  their  death  it  was  occu- 
pied by  members  of  their  family  till  a  few  years  ago,  when  it 
passed  into  the  hands  of  strangers. 

It  was  there  that  Mr  Benjamin  Gompertz  (the  author  of  the 
"  Principles  and  Application  of  Imaginary  Quantities  ")  resided 
and  the  mother  of  Sir  Moses  breathed  her  last. 

Joseph  Eliahu,  his  father,  was  a  well  educated  and  God- 
fearing man,  upright  in  all  his  dealings.  He  was  extremely 
fond  of  botany  and  gardening.  There  is  still  in  the  library  of 
Lady  Montefiore's  Theological  College  at  Ramsgate,  a  book 
which  formerly  belonged  to  him,  and  in  which  remarks  on  the 
cultivation  of  plants  are  written  in  his  own  handwriting. 

Sir  Moses,  when  speaking  of  him,  used  to  say,  "  He  was  at  one 
time  of  a  most  cheerful  disposition,  but  after  he  had  the  misfor- 
tune to  lose  one  of  his  daughters  at  a  fire  which  occurred  in  his 
house,  he  was  never  seen  to  smile." 


CHAPTER    II. 

EARLY  EDUCATION — BECOMES  A  STOCKBROKER — HIS 
MARRIAGE. 

AT  an  early  age,  we  find  young  Moses  Montefiore  attending 
school  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Kennington.  After  he 
had  completed  his  elementary  studies,  he  was  removed  to  a 
more  advanced  class  in  another  school,  where  he  began  to  evince 
a  great  desire  to  cultivate  his  mind,  independently  of  his  class 
lessons.  He  was  observed  to  copy  short  moral  sentences  from 
books  falling  into  his  hands,  or  interesting  accounts  of  im- 
portant events,  which  he  endeavoured  to  commit  to  memory. 

Afterwards,  as  he  grew  up  in  life,  this  became  a  habit  with 
him,  which  he  did  not  relinquish  even  when  he  had  attained  the 
age  of  ninety  years.  His  diaries  all  contain  either  at  the  be- 
ginning or  the  end  of  the  record  of  his  day's  work,  some 
beautiful  lines  of  poetry  referring  to  moral  or  literary  subjects  : 
mostly  quotations  or  extracts  from  standard  works.  Young 
Montefiore  showed  on  all  occasions  the  greatest  respect  for  his 
teachers,  bowing  submissively  to  their  authority  in  all  cases  of 
dispute  between  his  fellow-students  and  himself. 

He  was  acknowledged  to  be  most  frank  and  loyal  in  all  his 
intercourse  with  his  superiors.  The  respect  due  to  constituted 
authorities  he  always  used  to  consider,  when  he  had  become  a 
man  in  active  life,  as  a  sacred  duty.  He  was  in  the  habit  of 
saying,  in  the  words  of  the  royal  philosopher,  "  Fear  thou  the 
Lord  and  the  King,  and  meddle  not  with  them  that  are  given 
to  change."  Whatever  might  be  his  private  opinion  on  any 
subject,  he  would  in  all  his  public  and  private  transactions  be 
guided  only  by  the  decision  of  an  acknowledged  authority. 

Montefiore  did  not  remain  many  years  at  school.  There 
was  at  that  time  no  prospect  for  him  to  enter  life  as  a  professor 
at  a  university,  or  as  a  member  of  the  bar.  There  was  no 


Becomes  a  Stockbroker.  13 

sphere  of  work  open  to  him  in  any  of  the  professions  ;  and  even 
to  enter  the  medical  profession  would  have  been  difficult.  There 
was  nothing  left  for  him,  therefore,  but  to  enter  a  commercial 
career.  He  used  often  to  speak  about  the  days  of  his  apprentice- 
ship in  the  business  of  one  of  their  neighbours  in  Kennington, 
and  how  hard  he  had  to  work  ;  when  subsequently  he  was  in  a 
counting-house  in  the  city,  the  hours  were  late,  and  he  some- 
times had  to  take  letters  to  the  post  on  the  stroke  of  midnight. 
There  were  no  copying  machines,  and  all  letters  had  to  be  copied 
by  hand.  He  also  spoke  of  the  great  distance  he  had  to  walk 
every  night  from  the  city  to  Kennington  Terrace,  during  the 
cold  winter  months  as  well  as  in  the  summer  time.  There  were 
then  no  omnibuses  or  other  conveyances  at  hand  such  as  we 
have  now,  and  if  there  had  been,  he  was  of  too  saving  a  dis- 
position to  make  any  unnecessary  outlay  on  his  own  person  ;  he 
used  to  keep  a  strict  account  of  the  smallest  item  of  his 
expenses.  It  was  not  with  the  object  of  complaining,  or  of 
regretting  his  early  mode  of  life  that  he  gave  his  friends  these 
descriptions  ;  his  object  was  to  impress  on  the  mind  of  the 
rising  generation  the  necessity  of  working  hard  and  spending 
little,  in  order  to  make  their  way  in  the  world. 

By  his  habits  of  industry,  by  his  strict  compliance  with  the 
instructions  of  his  superiors,  and  more  especially  by  his  own 
clear  judgment  in  all  matters  connected  with  the  business 
entrusted  to  him,  he  soon  succeeded  in  obtaining  promotion. 

Having  had  the  opportunity  of  seeing  business  transactions 
among  brokers  on  the  Stock  Exchange,  he  decided  upon  secur- 
ing for  himself  the*  privilege  of  being  one  of  the  limited  number 
of  Jewish  brokers.  According  to  the  law  of  England  at  that 
time  only  twelve  such  brokers  could  be  admitted,  but  Moses 
Montefiore  had  the  satisfaction  of  soon  seeing  himself  in  posses- 
sion of  the  much-coveted  privilege.  He  took  an  office,  and  this 
owing  to  the  prosperity  with  which  his  straightforward  dealing 
and  courteous  manners  were  rewarded,  he  soon  had  to  change  for 
a  larger  one,  which  again  he  did  not  keep  long.  As  his  business 
had  now  to  be  conducted  near  the  bank,  he  took  up  his  quarters 
in  Bartholomew  Lane,  where  he  remained  to  the  last  day  of  his 
life.  It  was  there,  after  nearly  the  v.  hole  of  that  thoroughfare 
had  become  the  property  of  the  Alliance  Life  and  Fire  Assur- 
ance Company,  and  the  houses  had  been  rebuilt,  that  many  an 


,  4         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte  fare. 

important  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Deputies  of  British  Jews  and 
other  boards  of  benevolent  institutions  was  held  ;  and 
book-case,  in  which  all  important  papers  connected  with  his 
business  in  that  office  were  preserved,  is  now  in  one  of  the 
houses  of  Lady  Montefiore's  College,  where  he  used  now  and 
then  to  take  his  breakfast  on  a  Sabbath  morning,  when  it  was 
his  intention  to  be  present  at  a  lecture  in  the  college. 

His  brother  Abraham,  seeing  young  Moses  successful  in 
business,  subsequently  joined  him  as  a  partner,  and  the  firm  of 
Montefiore  Bros,  soon  became  known  in  England  as  one  entitled 
to  the  respect  of  all  honourable  men. 

However  profitable  or  urgent  the  business  may  have  been, 
the  moment  the  time  drew  near,  when  it  was  necessary  to 
prepare  for  the  Sabbath  or  solemn  festivals,  Moses  Montefiore 
quitted  his  office,  and  nothing  could  ever  induce  him  to 

remain. 

Sir  Moses  was  scrupulously  honourable  in  all  his  transac- 
tions, and  it  is  a  noteworthy  fact,  that  during  all  his  long  life  no 
whisper  was  ever  heard  against  his  reputation,  although  he  was 
intimately  connected  with  the  management  of  financial  and 
commercial  undertakings  of  great  magnitude  and  international 
character.  His  name  stood  so  high,  that  thousands  of  people 
from  all  parts  of  the  world  entrusted  him  with  money  to  be 
forwarded  to  the  Holy  Land,  or  for  other  charitable  purposes, 
never  asking  for  a  receipt,  and  in  many  instances  leaving  the 
distribution  of  it  to  his  own  discretion. 

In  the  year  1809,  in  the  reign  of  George  III.,  an  act  of 
parliament  was  passed  enabling  His  Majesty  to  establish  a  local 
Militia  Force  for  the  defence  of  the  country.  Young  Montefiore, 
who  was  then  twenty-five  years  old,  having  attained  his  majority 
in  1805,  deemed  it  his  duty  to  be  one  of  the  first  volunteers. 
Loyalty  to  the  country  in  which  he  lived  and  prospered,  and 
sincere  devotion  to  his  king,  afterwards  proved  to  be  special 
traits  in  his  character.  In  all  foreign  countries  whither  his 
philanthropic  missions  subsequently  led  him,  his  addresses  to 
the  people  and  his  counsels,  even  to  those  who  suffered  under 
heavy  oppression,  contained  exhortations  to  them  to  remain 
firm  in  their  loyalty  to  their  government. 

We  must  now  salute  him  as  Captain  Montefiore,  for  thus  we 
find  him  styled,  on  a  card  among  his  papers, 


Lady  Montefiore  when  young,  copied  from  an  oil  painting  in  the  Montefiore  College,  Rnmsgate. 

Set  Vol.  I.,  page  if. 


His  Manner.  15 

"Third  Surrey  Local  Militia,  Colonel  Alcock,  No.  I, 
Seventh  Company. 

"  CAPTAIN  MONTEFIORE." 

There  are  still  in  the  Gothic  library,  at  East  Cliff  Lodge, 
details  of  guard  mounted  by  the  3rd  Regiment  of  Surrey  Local 
Militia,  standing  orders,  &c.,  also  the  orderly  books  showing 
that  he  was  in  the  service  from  the  year  1810  to  1814. 

On  the  22nd  February  in  the  latter  year,  after  the  parade  on 
Duppas  Hill,  Croydon,  when  the  regiment  arrived  at  the  depot, 
the  commanding  officers  of  companies  had  to  receive  the  signa- 
tures of  all  those  who  wished  to  extend  their  services,  when 
called  upon  for  any  period  in  that  same  year  not  exceeding 
forty-two  days.  The  feeling  of  the  regiment  on  the  subject  was 
obtained  in  less  time  than  was  anticipated,  and  the  commanding 
officer  ordered  the  men  to  be  paid  and  dismissed  immediately. 

Sir  Moses  used  to  say,  when  speaking  to  his  friends  on  this 
subject,  "  I  did  all  in  my  power  to  persuade  my  company  to 
re-enlist,  but  I  was  not  successful." 

In  the  same  year,  he  took  lessons  in  sounding  the  bugle,  and 
also  devoted  several  hours  a  week  to  the  study  of  French ;  it 
appears  that  he  would  not  allow  one  hour  of  the  day  to  pass 
without  endeavouring  to  acquire  some  useful  art  or  knowledge. 

He  was  very  particular  in  not  missing  a  lesson,  and  entered 
them  all  in  his  diary  of  the  year  1814. 

In  the  midst  of  business,  military  duties,  and  studies,  in  which 
he  passed  the  five  years,  iSioto  1814,  there  was  one  date  which 
he  most  justly  considered  the  happiest  of  his  life. 

I  am  alluding  to  the  loth  of  June  1812  (corresponding,  in 
that  year,  to  the  3Oth  of  Sivan,  5573  A.M.,  according  to  the 
Hebrew  date),  on  which  day  he  was  permitted  to  take  to 
himself  as  a  partner  in  life,  Judith,  the  daughter  of  Levi 
Barent  Cohen. 

He  thoroughly  appreciated  the  great  blessing  which  that 
union  brought  upon  him.  Henceforth,  for  every  important  act 
of  his,  where  the  choice  was  left  to  him,  whether  it  was  the  laying 
of  a  foundation  stone  for  a  house  of  prayer,  a  charitable  institu- 
tion, or  a  business  office,  he  invariably  fixed  the  date  on  the 
anniversary  of  his  wedding  day.  Setting  out  on  an  important 
mission  in  the  month  of  June,  he  would,  when  a  short  delay  was 


1 6         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

immaterial,  defer  it  to  the  anniversary  of  his  wedding.  This 
was  not,  as  some  might  suppose,  from  mere  superstition,  for  in 
all  his  doings  he  was  anxious  to  trust  to  the  will  of  God  alone ; 
it  was  with  the  idea  of  uniting  every  important  act  in  his  life 
with  one  which  made  his  existence  on  earth,  as  he  affirmed,  a 
heavenly  paradise. 

His  own  words,  taken  from  the  diary  of  1844,  will  best  express 
his  feelings  on  the  subject. 

"  On  this  happy  day,  the  lOth  of  June,"  he  writes,  "  thirty-two 
years  have  passed  since  the  Almighty  God  of  Israel,  in  His 
great  goodness,  blessed  me  with  my  dear  Judith,  and  for  ever 
shall  I  be  most  truly  grateful  for  this  blessing,  the  great  cause  of 
my  happiness  through  life.  From  the  first  day  of  our  happy 
union  to  this  hour  I  have  had  every  reason  for  increased  love 
and  esteem,  and  truly  may  I  say,  each  succeeding  year  has 
brought  with  it  greater  proofs  of  her  admirable  character.  A 
better  and  kinder  wife  never  existed,  one  whose  whole  study  has 
been  to  render  her  husband  good  and  happy.  May  the  God  of 
our  fathers  bestow  upon  her  His  blessing,  with  life,  health,  and 
every  other  felicity.  Afmen." 

As  a  lasting  remembrance  of  the  day  he  treasured  the  prayer- 
shawl  which,  according  to  the  custom  (in  Spanish  and  Portuguese 
Hebrew  communities),  had  been  held  over  his  head  and  that  of 
his  bride  during  the  marriage  ceremony  and  the  offering  up  of 
the  prayers. 

In  compliance  with  his  wish  the  same  shawl  was  again  put 
over  his  head  when  his  brethren  performed  the  melancholy  duty 
of  depositing  his  mortal  remains  in  their  last  resting-place. 

But  I  will  not  further  digress,  and  I  resume  my  narrative  of 
his  happy  life  after  his  union  with  his  beloved  wife. 

Henceforth  the  reader  may  consider  them  as  one  person,  and 
every  act  of  benevolence  recorded  further  on  in  these  Memoirs 
must  be  regarded  as  an  emanation  of  the  generous  and  kindly 
impulses  which  so  abundantly  filled  the  hearts  of  both. 

In  order  to  indicate  the  places  to  which  the  young  couple 
would  resort  after  the  duties  of  the  day,  I  need  only  remind  the 
reader  of  the  residences  of  their  numerous  relatives,  with  whom 
they  were  always  on  affectionate  terms.  At  Highgate,  Clapham, 
Lavender  Hill,  and  Hastings,  in  all  of  these  places  they  were  most 
heartily  welcomed,  and  they  often  went  there  to  dine,  take  tea, 


His  Marriage.  17 

or  spend  a  few  days  in  the  family  circle.  But  the  place  to  which 
they  repaired  for  the  enjoyment  of  a  complete  rest,  or  for  con- 
sidering and  maturing  a  plan  for  some  very  great  and  important 
object,  was  an  insignificant  little  spot  of  the  name  of  "  Smithem- 
bottom  "  in  Surrey. 

They  used  to  go  there  on  Sunday  and  remain  until  the  ne"xt 
day,  sometimes  until  the  middle  of  the  week,  occasionally  invit- 
ing a  friend  to  join  them.  They  greatly  enjoyed  the  walk  over 
hills,  while  forming  pleasing  anticipations  of  the  future  ;  and  they 
always  found  on  their  return  to  the  little  inn,  an  excellent  dinner, 
which  their  servants  had  brought  with  them  from  London — never 
forgetting,  by  the  order  of  their  master,  a  few  bottles  of  his 
choice  wine.  "  Wine,  good  and  pure  wine,"  Mr  Montefiore  used 
to  say,  "  God  has  given  to  man  to  cheer  him  up  when  borne 
down  by  grief  and  sorrow  ;  it  gladdens  his  heart,  and  causes  him 
to  render  thanks  to  heaven  for  mercies  conferred  upon  him."  In 
holy  writ  we  find  "give  wine  unto  those  that  be  of  heavy  heart;" 
also,  "  wine  maketh  glad  the  heart  of  man."  No  sanctification 
of  our  Sabbaths  and  festivals,  and  no  union  between  two  loving 
hearts,  can  be  solemnised,  without  partaking  of  wine  over  which 
the  blessing  has  been  pronounced. 

It  was  his  desire  to  be  happy,  and  make  others  around  him 
happy,  for  such  he  said  was  the  will  of  God  (Deut.  xxvi.  11). 
When  certain  friends  of  his,  who  intended  taking  the  total 
abstinence  pledge,  ventured  to  raise  an  argument  on  the  de- 
sirability of  his  substituting  water  for  wine,  he  would  reply  in 
the  words  which  the  vine  said  to  the  trees  when  they  came  to- 
anoint  him  as  king  over  them,  "  Should  I  leave  my  wine  which 
cheereth  God  and  man"  (Judges  ix.  13)?  His  friends  smiled  at 
this  reasoning,  and  on  their  next  visit  to  him  drank  to  each 
other's  health  in  the  choice  wine  of  his  cellar. 

I  invariably  heard  him  pronounce  the  blessing  before  he 
touched  the  exhilarating  beverage,  in  such  a  tone  as  to  leave  no 
doubt  in  the  minds  of  those  present  that  he  fully  appreciated 
this  gift  of  God. 

He  never  gave  up  the  habit  of  taking  wine  himself,  and  it  was 
his  greatest  pleasure  to  see  his  friends  enjoy  it  with  him.  To 
the  sick  and  the  poor  he  would  frequently  send  large  quantities. 

The  year  1812  passed  very  happily.     Every  member  of  the 
family  was  delighted  with  the  young  couple.     They  said,  "  such  a 
I.  B 


1 8         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

suitable  union  of  two  young  people  had  not  been  seen  for  many 
years."  In  No.  4  New  Court,  where  they  took  up  their  abode, 
they  had  Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild  their  brother-in-law  (in  whose 
financial  operations  Montefiore  was  greatly  interested),  for  a 
neighbour  and  friend.  Young  Mrs  Montefiore  had  but  a  short 
distance  to  walk  to  see  her  parents,  at  Angel  Court,  Throgmor- 
ton  Street,  where  Mrs  Barent  Levi  Cohen  now  lived.  The 
Stock  Exchange  and  the  Bank  being  in  their  immediate  neigh- 
bourhood, where  all  their  relatives  had  business  transactions 
every  day  in  the  week  except  Sabbath  and  festivals,  they  often 
had  the  opportunity  of  seeing  the  whole  family  circle  in  their 
house. 


CHAPTER  III. 
1813-1820. 

FINANCIAL  TRANSACTIONS  —  PUBLIC  EVENTS  BEFORE  AND 
AFTER  WATERLOO — ELECTED  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  SPANISH 
AND  PORTUGUESE  HEBREW  COMMUNITY. 

I  AM  now  at  the  starting  point  of  my  narrative  of  the  public 
life  and  work  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  in  connec- 
tion more  especially  with  the  communities  of  their  own  race, 
and  this  I  propose  to  give  in  the  form  of  extracts  from  their 
diaries.  These  extracts  contain  the  most  material  references  to 
important  events,  accompanied  by  explanatory  remarks  of  my 
own.  With  a  view  of  making  the  reader  acquainted  with  the 
passing  opinions  and  feelings  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore 
and  their  earnestness  of  purpose  and  energy  in  every  good  cause, 
as  well  as  with  a  desire  to  draw  attention  to  the  variety  and 
multiplicity  of  the  work  they  would  accomplish  in  a  single  day, 
I  shall  frequently  give  these  entries  as  I  find  them,  in  brief  and 
at  times  abrupt  sentences. 

!8i3  (5573  A.M.). — Owing  to  the  eventful  vicissitudes  of 
European  wars,  the  greatest  activity  prevails  on  the  Stock  Ex- 
change. Mr  Montefiore  is  in  constant  intercourse  with  Mr  N.  M. 
Rothschild,  through  whose  prudence  and  judicious  recom- 
mendations with  regard  to  the  Bullion  Market  and  Foreign 
Exchanges,  he  is  enabled  not  only  to  avoid  hazardous  monetary 
transactions,  but  also  to  make  successful  ventures  in  these  diffi- 
cult times. 

1814  (5574  A.M.). — The  first  peace  in  Paris  is  signed.  The 
allied  sovereigns  visit  England,  and  are  received  by  the  Prince 
Regent.  Great  festivities  in  the  city,  while  considerable  excite- 
ment prevails  in  all  financial  circles.  Commerce  is  stagnant ; 
taxation  excessive,  in  consequence  of  the  great  debt  the  country 
had  incurred  during  the  war  ;  the  labouring  classes  cry  out ; 
food  is  scarce ;  there  is  no  demand  for  labour,  and  wages  are 
low.  Nevertheless,  Mr  Montefiore  and  his  wife  entertain  the 


20        Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte fiore. 

hope  of  a  continuance  of  peace,  which,  they  say,  will  soon 
remedy  all  evils.  They  frequently  visit  Highgate,  where  Mr 
N.  M.  Rothschild  has  his  country  house  ;  go  to  Hastings,  where 
their  brother-in-law,  Mr  S.  M.  Samuel,  has  taken  a  summer 
residence,  and  visit  their  mother,  Mrs  Montefiore,  at  Kenning- 
ton  Terrace.  They  contrive  to  devote  a  portion  of  the  day  or 
evening  to  the  study  of  the  French  language  and  literature. 
Mr  Montefiore,  as  captain  of  the  local  militia,  continues  taking 
lessons  on  the  bugle. 

1815  (5575  A.M.). — Mr  Montefiore  agrees  with  Lord   Mayor 
Birch  (grandfather  of  Dr  Samuel  Birch  of  the  British  Museum) 
to  pay  .£600,  for  the  transfer  to   himself,  of  Medina's    Broker's 
medal   (at  that  time  the  few  Jewish  brokers  admitted  had   to 
pay  an  extraordinarily  high   fee  for  the  privilege)  ;   he  is  en- 
gaged  in   his  financial  transactions  with  Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild, 
and    goes,    in    the    interest    of  the   latter  and    in    his    own,   to 
Dunkirk  and  Yarmouth.     On  his  return  he  frequently  attends 
the  meetings  of  the  representatives  of  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese 
synagogues ;  checks  and  signs  the  synagogue  books,  as  treasurer,, 
and  is  present  at  the  meetings  of  a  committee,  representing  four 
Hebrew  congregations   in   London,  for  devising  proper  regula- 
tions to  ensure  the  provision  of  meat  prepared  in  accordance 
with  Scriptural  injunctions. 

1816  (5576  A.M.). — He  frequently  attends  the  meetings  of  the 
Velhos  (Elders)  of  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  community,  and 
the  society  for  granting  marriage  portions  to  orphans.     His  work 
in  connection  with  finance  daily  increases. 

Great  agitation  prevails  throughout  the  country;  the  Govern- 
ment having,  in  the  previous  year,  passed  a  Corn  Act  to  favour 
the  English  farmer,  forbidding  the  importation  of  foreign  grain, 
the  price  of  wheat  had  reached  8os.  per  quarter ;  political 
societies,  under  the  name  of  "  Hampden  Clubs,"  are  formed  all 
over  the  country.  There  is  a  cry  for  reform  in  the  House  of 
Commons;  the  Ministry,  influenced  by  Lord  Castlereagh,  refuses 
all  change ;  the  price  of  wheat  continues  to  rise  daily  after  the 
peace. 

Financiers  feel  very  anxious  about  the  result,  but  Mr  and 
Mrs  Montefiore,  less  apprehensive  of  serious  disturbances,  and 
desirous  of  change  of  scene  and  climate,  purpose  setting  out  to- 
visit  France  and  Italy. 


Extracts  from  the  Diaries.  21 

1816  (5576  A.M.). — They  travel  in  France  and  Italy,  visit 
public  institutions,  and  make  it  a  rule  to  see  every  object  of 
interest.  They  take  notice  and  make  memoranda  of  the 
explanations  given  them  by  their  Ciceroni,  independently  of 
the  information  derived  from  guide-books ;  they  frequent 
theatres  and  operas  as  well  as  hospitals  and  schools.  A  beauti- 
ful and  comfortable  travelling  chariot,  procured  in  Paris  from 
Beaupre,  a  famous  coach  uuilder,  at  the  price  of  4072  francs, 
and  abundant  provisions  for  themselves  and  friends,  making 
them  independent  of  inferior  hotels  for  food,  make  their 
travels  most  agreeable  to  themselves  and  to  all  who  accompany 
them. 

Mr  Montefiore  and  his  wife  were  not  only  diligent  observers 
of  whatever  they  saw,  but  also  possessed  the  good  quality  of 
never  objecting  to  any  difficulties  to  be  overcome  in  order  to 
add  to  their  stock  of  knowledge  or  experiences. 

During  their  travels  in  France  and  Italy,  their  pleasure  was 
greatly  enhanced  by  the  kind  attention  they  received  at  the 
hands  of  their  friends,  especially  in  Paris,  where  Mr  Solomon  de 
Rothschild  and  all  the  members  of  the  family  vied  with  each 
other  in  their  efforts  to  make  their  stay  as  agreeable  as 
possible. 

At  Lausanne,  Mr  Montefiore  was  very  ill  for  three  days  with 
rheumatism  in  the  face  and  ear,  but  he  soon  recovered,  and  was 
able  to  continue  his  journey.  On  August  the  3Oth,  after  an 
absence  of  three  months  from  England,  they  returned  and 
arrived  safely  at  Dover. 

On  September  2Oth  he  is  appointed  treasurer  to  the  "  Beth 
Holim "  hospital  of  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  Hebrew 
community. 

November  26th. — A  private  account  is  opened  with  Jones, 
Lloyd  &  Co.  and  the  Bank  of  England  ;  on  the  29th  of  the  same 
month  he  dissolves  partnership  with  his  brother  Abraham,  "God 
grant,"  he  says,  "  it  may  prove  fortunate  for  us  both." 

J8i7  (5577  A.M.). — This  was  a  year  of  riot  in  England;  in 
spite  of  the  Royal  proclamation  against  unlawful  assemblages  the 
riots  increased  ;  the  Habeas  Corpus  Act  was  suspended,  but  the 
seditious  meetings  continued.  A  motion  in  the  House  of 
Commons  for  reform  had  only  seventy-seven  supporters,  two 
hundred  and  sixty-six  voting  for  its  rejection.  Mr  Montefiore, 


22         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte/lore. 

like  most  financiers  in  London,  was  in  constant  anxiety,  his 
state  of  health  suffered,  and  it  was  desirable  for  him  to  leave 
England  again  for  change  of  climate. 

He  completes  the  purchase  of  Tinley  Lodge  farm  on  July 
3Oth.  On  October  7th  he  signs  his  will ;  and  on  the  I3th  of  the 
same  month,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  several  of  their  rela- 
tives, sets  out  on  his  second  journey  to  France  and  Italy.  On 
the  road,  he  and  Mrs  Montefiore  resume  their  Hebrew  studies. 
They  visit  Paris,  Lyons,  Turin,  Milan,  and  Carrara;  the  latter 
place  being  of  special  interest  to  them  on  account  of  their  meet- 
ing with  persons  who  had  been  connected  in  business  transactions 
with  Mr  Montefiore's  father. 

1818  (5578  A.M.). — They  arrive  on  the  1st  of  January  at  Leg- 
horn, and  meet  several  members  of  their  family.  They  visit  the 
house  where  Mr  Montefiore  was  born,  and  are  welcomed  there  by 
Mr  Isaac  Piccioto,  who  occupied  the  house  at  that  time  ;  they  pro- 
ceed thence  to  the  burial  ground  to  see  the  tomb  of  their  uncle 
Racah,  and  on  the  following  day  leave  for  Pisa. 

There  they  visit  the  house  and  garden  of  the  said  uncle 
Racah,  Mr  Montefiore  observing,  that  it  is  a  good  garden,  but  a 
small  house  ;  thence  they  continue  their  journey  to  Sienna. 

"  I  had  a  dispute,"  he  says,  "  with  the  postmaster  at  a  place 
called  Bobzena,  and  was  compelled  to  go  to  the  Governor,  who 
sent  with  me  two  gendarmes  to  settle  the  affair."  "  The  road  to 
Viterbo,"  he  observes,  "  I  found  very  dangerous  ;  the  country 
terribly  dreary,  wild  and  mountainous,  with  terrific  caverns  and 
great  forests." 

"  On  the  1 5th  of  January,"  he  continues,  "we  became  greatly 
alarmed  by  the  vicinity  of  rqbbers  on  the  road,  and  I  had  to 
walk  upwards  of  seven  miles  behind  the  carriage  until  we  arrived 
at  Rome,  whither  we  had  been  escorted  by  two  gendarmes." 

"  In  Rome,"  he  says,  "  we  saw  this  time  in  the  Church  of  St 
John,  the  gate  of  bronze  said  to  be  that  of  the  temple  of  Jeru- 
salem ;  we  also  revisited  the  workshop  of  Canova,  his  studio, 
and  saw  all  that  a  traveller  could  possibly  see  when  under  the 
guidance  of  a  clever  cicerone. 

"We  left  Rome  on  the  nth  of  February,  and  passed  a  man 
lying  dead  on  the  road ;  he  had  been  murdered  in  the  night. 
This  incident  damped  our  spirits  and  rendered  the  journey, 
which  would  otherwise  have  been  delightful,  rather  triste." 


Diaries.  23 

On  the  3rd  of  April  they  arrive  at  Frankfort-on-the-Main  ; 
in  May  they  are  again  in  London,  and  on  the  I3st  inst,  Mr 
Montefiore,  dismissing  from  his  mind  (for  the  time)  all  impres- 
sions of  gay  France  and  smiling  Italy,  is  to  be  found  in  the 
house  of  mourning,  expressing  his  sympathy  with  the  bereaved, 
and  rendering  comfort  by  the  material  help  which  he  offers -in 
the  hour  of  need. 

It  is  in  the  house  of  a  devoted  minister  of  his  congregation, 
the  Rev.  Hazan  Shalom,  that  we  find  him  now  performing  the 
duties  of  a  Lavadore,  preparing  the  dead  for  its  last  resting-place. 
The  pleasures  of  his  last  journey,  and  the  change  of  scene 
and  climate  appear  to  have  greatly  invigorated  him,  for  we  find 
him  on  another  mournful  occasion,  exhibiting  a  degree  of  physi- 
cal strength  such  as  is  seldom  met  with. 

His  mother-in-law  having  been  taken  ill  on  Saturday,  the 
1 4th  of  November,  he  went  on  foot  from  Smithembottom  to 
Town,  a  walk  of  five  hours,  in  order  to  avoid  breaking  one  of 
the  commandments,  by  riding  in  a  carriage  on  the  Sabbath. 
Unfortunately  on  his  arrival,  he  found  she  had  already  expired. 
Prompted  by  religious  fervour  and  attachment  to  the  family,  he 
attended  during  the  first  seven  days  the  house  of  mourning, 
where  all  the  relatives  of  the  deceased  assembled,  morning  and 
evening,  for  devotional  exercises,  and,  with  a  view  of  devoting 
the  rest  of  the  day  to  the  furtherance  of  some  good  cause,  he 
remained  in  the  city  to  be  present  at  all  the  meetings  of  the 
representatives  of  his  community. 

In  the  month  of  December  he  went  down  to  Brighton  to 
intercede  with  General  Bloomfield  for  three  convicts.  (The 
particulars  of  the  case  are  not  given  in  the  diary),  and  on  his 
return  he  resumed  his  usual  financial  pursuits. 

!8i8  (55/9  A.M.).  He  is  elected  President  of  the  Spanish  and 
Portuguese  congregation.  "I  am  resolved,"  he  says,  "to  serve 
the  office  unbiassed,  and  to  the  best  of  my  conscience."  Mr 
Montefiore  keeps  his  word  faithfully,  for  he  attends  punctually 
all  the  meetings  of  the  elders,  and,  on  several  occasions,  goes 
about  in  a  post-chaise  to  collect  from  his  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances contributions  towards  the  fund  required  for  the  hospital 
"  Beth  Holim  "  of  his  community. 

This  was  the  year  in  which  the  political  crisis  came,  when 
public  meetings,  in  favour  of  Parliamentary  reform  were  held 


24         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

everywhere,  and  Parliament  passed  six  Acts  restricting  public 
liberty.  In  the  midst  of  these  troubles,  on  the  24th  of  May, 
the  Princess  Victoria,  daughter  of  the  Duke  of  Kent,  the  fourth 
son  of  the  king,  was  born  at  Kensington  Palace. 

1820  (5580  A.M.).  The  Diary  opens  this  year  with  observations 
on  the  life  of  man,  and  with  a  view  of  affording  the  reader  an 
opportunity  of  reflecting  on  Mr  Montefiore 's  character,  I  append 
a  record  of  his  pursuits  such  as  we  seldom  meet  with  in  a  man 
in  the  prime  of  life,  at  the  age  of  30. 

In  full  enjoyment  of  health,  wealth,  and  every  pleasure  a 
man  could  possibly  desire,  he  thus  writes  on  the  first  page : — 

"  He  who  builds  his  hopes  in  the  air  of  men's  fair  looks, 
Lives  like  a  drunken  sailor  on  the  mast, 
Ready  with  every  nod  to  tumble  down 
Into  the  fatal  bowels  of  the  deep. 

"  With  moderate  blessings  be  content, 
Nor  idly  grasp  at  every  shade, 
Peace,  competence,  a  life  well  spent, 
Are  blessings  that  can  never  fade  ; 
And  he  that  weakly  sighs  for  more 
Augments  his  misery,  not  his  store.* 


CHAPTER    IV. 

• 

1820-1826. 

DAILY   LIFE — DEATH   OF  HIS   BROTHER   ABRAHAM — AN   EARLY 
PANAMA   CANAL   PROJECT. 

MR  MONTEFIORE'S  occupations  may  best  be  described 
in  his  own  words,  and  may  furnish  a  useful  hint  to 
those  who  neglect  to  keep  an  account  of  the  way  in  which  their 
time  is  spent.  Rewrites: — 

"With  God's  blessing, — Rise,  say  prayers  at  7  o'clock. 
Breakfast  at  9.  Attend  the  Stock  Exchange,  if  in  London,  10. 
Dinner,  5.  Read,  write,  and  learn,  if  possible,  Hebrew  and 
French,  6.  Read  Bible  and  say  prayers,  10.  Then  retire. 

"  Monday  and  Thursday  mornings  attend  the  Synagogue. 
Tuesday  and  Thursday  evenings  for  visiting." 

"  I  attended,"  he  says,  "  many  meetings  at  the  City  of  Lon- 
don Tavern,  also  several  charitable  meetings  at  Bevis  Marks,  in 
connection  with  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  Synagogue ;  some- 
times passing  the  whole  day  there  from  ten  in  the  morning  till 
half-past  eleven  at  night  (January  25,  1820),  excepting  two 
hours  for  dinner  in  the  Committee  room ;  answered  in  the 
evening  350  petitions  fro*n  poor  women,  and  also  made  frequent 
visits  to  the  Villa  Real  School." 

In  the  course  of  the  year  he  went  to  Cambridge  and  to 
Norwich,  visiting  many  of  the  colleges,  the  Fitzwilliam  Museum, 
and  other  interesting  institutions,  and  on  February  the  i6th  he 
attended  the  funeral  sermon  of  his  late  Majesty  George  the 
Third  (who  died  on  the  29th  of  January). 

He  often  went  to  his  farm,  near  Tinley  Lodge,  and  some- 
times for  special  recreation  to  the  English  Opera,  together  with 
his  wife  and  members  of  the  family,  always  finding  time  for 
work  and  pleasure  alike. 

"  Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild,"  he  records  in  an  entry,  "  being  taken 
ill,  I  stayed  with  him  several  days  at  Stamford  Hill." 


26         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

Subsequently  Mr  Montefiore  had  some  very  important 
business  in  connection  with  a  loan,  and  experienced  much 
uneasiness,  owing  to  a  riot  an.ong  the  soldiers  of  the  third 
regiment  of  the  Guards,  which,  no  doubt,  affected  the  financial 
world. 

He  frequently  went  to  the  House  of  Commons  and  the 
House  of  Lords  to  ascertain  the  state  of  politics,  and  the  pro- 
gress of  the  Jews  Emancipation  Bill  in  particular;  for  the 
Roman  Catholic  Emancipation  Bill,  which,  side-by-side  with 
Parliamentary  reform,  and  the  demand  for  free  trade,  was  at 
that  time  agitating  the  public  mind,  naturally  prompted  the 
Jews  to  bring  before  the  House  their  own  grievances.  Mr 
Montefiore  also  visited  the  Female  Freemasons'  Charity,  and 
generously  supported  the  craft  which,  as  has  been  said,  has  had 
a  being  "  ever  since  symmetry  began  and  harmony  displayed 
her  charms." 

October  30. — An  important  event  in  his  financial  career 
takes  place :  he  gives  up  his  counting-house. 

1821  (5581  A.M.) — The  first  day  of  this  year  corresponding 
with  the  Hebrew  date,  Tebet  28,  on  which  his  father,  he  writes, 
entered  into  eternal  glory,  nth  of  January  1804  (5564  A.M.), 
he  repairs  morning  and  evening  to  the  house  of  prayer,  offering 
up  the  customary  prayer  in  memory  of  the  dead. 

"  I  visited  his  tomb,  distributing  gifts  to  the  poor  and  needy, 
and  on  my  return  passed  the  whole  of  the  day  in  fasting  and 
religious  meditation." 

The  next  entries  refer  to  his  frequent  visits  to  the  hospital, 
"  Beth  Holim,"  going  to  see  King  George  IV.  at  Drury  Lane, 
dining  with  the  Directors  of  the  Atlas  Fire  Assurance  Company 
at  the  Albion,  going  afterwards  with  the  Lord  Mayor  of  Dublin 
to  Covent  Garden  Theatre  to  see  His  Majesty  again,  his  ex- 
cursions to  the  country,  together  with  his  wife,  and  their  visits 
to  Finchley  Lodge  Farm,  where  they  sometimes  pass  the  day 
together.  On  his  return  to  London,  he  attends,  as  in  the  pre- 
ceding year,  the  meetings  of  the  elders  of  his  community  and 
those  of  the  communal  institutions. 

On  8th  May  they  set  out  for  Scotland.  Of  this  tour  Mrs 
Montefiore  kept  an  interesting  journal,  which  not  only  describes 
the  state  of  the  country  and  the  mode  of  travelling  sixty  six 
years  ago,  but  shows  her  good  temper  under  difficulties,  her 


Daily  Life.  27 

gratitude  to  Providence  for  the  blessings  they  enjoyed,  and  for 
their  safety  after  apparent  danger,  as  also  her  keen  appreciation 
of  the  beauties  of  nature  and  art.  It  contains,  however,  no  in- 
formation likely  to  be  serviceable  to  the  present  generation 
travelling  in  Scotland. 

In  October  we  meet  them  again  in  London,  in  the  House  of 
Prayer,  offering  up  thanks  for  their  safe  return  from  Scotland. 
During  the  rest  of  the  year  Mr  Montefiore  resumed  his  usual 
occupations,  always  combining  the  work  of  finance  with  that 
intended  for  the  welfare  of  his  community  and  charitable  insti- 
tutions of  all  classes  of  society,  while  Mrs  Montefiore  devoted 
herself  to  responding  to  every  appeal  for  help  commensurately 
with  the  merit  of  the  case,  comforting  every  sufferer  by  her  kind 
acts  of  sympathy,  and  promoting  peace  and  harmony  among 
those  whose  friendship  seemed  likely  to  be  interrupted. 

An  incident  which,  at  the  time,  afforded  Mr  Montefiore 
special  gratification,  he  refers  to  as  follows  : — 

"  I  was  present,  on  the  Feast  of  Haunkah  (the  anniversary  of 
the  victory  of  the  Maccabees),  at  a  discourse  delivered  by  the 
spiritual  head  of  the  congregation,  in  the  College  of  the  Spanish 
and  Portuguese  Hebrew  Community.  The  interest  was  greatly 
enhanced  by  the  completion  of  the  study  of  one  of  their  theo- 
logical books  in  the  presence  of  all  the  students.  The  latter 
evinced  great  love  for  their  study,  and  appeared  well  acquainted 
with  the  subject  to  which  the  lecturer  referred." 

Mrs  Montefiore  presented  each  student  with  a  generous  gift, 
as  an  encouragement  to  continued  zeal  in  their  work. 

1822  (5582  A.M.).  — He  agrees  to  rent  East  Cliff  Lodge  for 
one  year  from  the  I5th  of  April,  for  .£550  clear,  and  signs  the 
agreement  on  I2th  February. 

On  the  eve  of  the  Day  of  Atonement,  in  the  presence  of  his 
assembled  friends,  he  completes,  by  adding  the  last  verse  in  his 
own  handwriting,  a  scroll  of  the  Pentateuch,  for  the  use  of  the 
Synagogue,  offering  on  the  following  day  £140  for  the  benefit 
of  various  charitable  institutions  of  his  community  as  a  token  of 
his  appreciation  of  the  Synagogue  Service. 

The  depressed  state  of  trade  in  this  and  the  preceding  year, 
owing  to  serious  apprehensions  of  war,  had  caused  a  great 
diminution  in  the  importation  and  manufacture  of  goods,  so  that 
much  anxiety  prevailed.  Referring  to  this  subject,  Mr  Monte- 


28         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

fiore  makes  an  entry  to  the  effect  that  a  statement  had  been 
made  in  high  quarters  by  the  Duke  of  Wellington,  that  peace 
would  be  maintained,  in  consequence  of  which,  says  Mr  Monte- 
fiore, all  the  public  funds  rose. 

1823  (5583  A.M.). — Opens  with  a  joyous  event  in  the  family. 
His  brother  Horatio,  on  the  first  of  January,  marries  a  daughter 
of  David  Mocatta,  thus  allying  more  closely  the  two  most  pro- 
minent families  in  the  Hebrew  community. 

August  20th. — Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  leave  England  for  the 
third  time  for  France,  Germany,  and  Italy. 

The  entry  this  day  refers  to  something  which  happened  to  him 
seventeen  years  previously  (1806),  (for  obvious  reasons  I  do  not 
give  the  name,  which  is  written  in  full  in  the  diary) : — "N.N.  robbed 
me  of  all  and  more  than  I  had.  Blessed  be  the  Almighty, 
that  He  has  not  suffered  my  enemies  to  triumph  over  me." 

'  On  their  arrival  at  Rome  they  find  Mr  Abraham  Montefiore 
very  ill ;  much  worse,  Mr  Montefiore  says,  than  they  had  ex- 
pected. His  critical  state  induces  them  to  remain  with  him  to 
the  end  of  the  year. 

About  the  same  time,  his  brother  Horatio  was  elected  an 
elder  in  his  synagogue  :  "  affording  him  many  opportunities," 
Mr  Montefiore  observes,  "to  make  himself  useful  to  the 
congregation." 

1824  (5584  A.M.). — His  brother  Abraham  continues  very  ill, 
but  Montefiore  can   remain   with   him  no  longer,  his   presence 
being  much  required  in  London. 

February  i^th. — Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  arrive  in  London, 
and  on  the  i/th  he  again  goes  to  the  Stock  Exchange,  this 
being  the  first  time  for  more  than  a  year  that  he  has  done  so. 

July  2St/t. — The  deed  of  settlement  of  the  Alliance  Life 
Assurance  Company  is  read  to  the  general  court.  On  August 
^th  he  has  the  gratification  of  affixing  his  name  to  il.  "  On  the 
same  day,"  he  says,  evidently  with  much  pleasure,  "  I  have  re- 
ceived many  applications  for  shares  of  the  Imperial  Continental 
Gas  Association." 

The  diary  introduces  the  subject  of  Insurance  Companies  by 
quoting  the  words  of  Suetonius. 

"  Si*etonius  conjectures,"  Mr  Montefiore  writes  on  the  first 
page  of  the  book,  "  that  the  Emperor  Claudius  was  the  original 
projector  of  insurances  on  ships  and  merchandise." 


Daily  Life.  29 

"  The  first  instances  of  the  practice  recorded  in  modern 
history,"  he  observes,  "  occur  in  1 560,  in  consequence  of  the 
extensive  wool  trade  between  England  and  the  Netherlands; 
though  It  was  probably  in  use  before  that  period,  and  seems  to- 
have  been  introduced  by  the  Jews  in  1 182." 

"  It  is  treated  of  in  the  laws  of  Oleron,  relating  to  sea  affairs, 
as  early  as  the  year  1 194." 

"About  the  period  of  the  great  fire  in  London,  1666.  arr 
office  was  established  for  insuring  houses  from  fire." 

This  information  is  probably  no  novelty  to  the  reader, 
but  my  object  in  quoting  it  is  to  show  how  attentively  Mr 
Montefiore  studied  every  subject  connected  with  his  financial 
and  other  pursuits.  We  have  in  the  College  library  a  great 
variety  of  books  bearing  on  insurance  offices,  all  of  which,  it 
appears,  he  had  at  some  time  consulted  for  information. 

Of  both  the  above  companies  he  was  elected  president,  offices 
which  he  held  to  the  last  moment  of  his  life.  They  are  now 
numbered  among  the  most  prosperous  companies  in  England. 

His  presence  at  the  board  was  always  a  cause  of  the  highest 
satisfaction,  not  only  to  the  directors  and  shareholders,  all  of 
whom  appreciated  his  sound  judgment,  cautious  disposition 
and  energy  in  the  promotion  and  welfare  of  the  company, 
but  also  to  all  the  officers  and  employees  of  the  respective 
offices. 

In  conversing  with  his  friends  on  this  subject,  he  used  to- 
say,  "When  our  companies  prosper,  I  wish  to  see  everyone 
employed  by  us,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest,  derive  some 
benefit  from  them  in  proportion  to  the  position  he  occupies  in 
the  office."  He  also  strongly  advocated  the  promotion  of 
harmony  and  friendliness  among  the  officers  of  the  companies,, 
for  which  purpose,  he  used  annually  to  give  them  an  excellent 
dinner  in  one  of  the  large  hotels,  inviting  several  of  his  personal 
friends  to  join  them. 

When  travelling  on  the  Continent,  he  invariably  made  a 
point  of  visiting  every  one  of  the  branches  of  the  Imperial  Gas 
Association,  making  strict  enquiries  on  every  subject  connected 
with  the  operations,  and  inviting  all  the  officers  to  his  table. 

I  have  frequently  (after  the  year  1839)  accompanied  him  on 
such  occasions,  and  often  wondered  at  his  minute  knowledge  of 
every  item  entered  in  the  books  of  the  respective  offices. 


30         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

He  often  gave  proof,  in  the  last  years  of  his  life,  of  his  special 
interest  in  the  prosperity  of  these  companies  by  the  exertions 
he  would  make  in  signing  every  document  sent  down  to  him  at 
Ramsgate  for  that  purpose,  even  when  he  appeared  to  experience 
a  difficulty  in  holding  a  pen. 

He  strongly  objected  to  a  system  of  giving  high  dividends  to 
the  shareholders.  "  Let  us  be  satisfied,"  he  used  to  say,  "  with 
five  per  cent.,  so  that  we  may  always  rest  in  the  full  enjoyment 
of  undisturbed  life  on  the  firm  rock  of  security," — the  emblem 
represented  on  the  office  seal  of  the  Alliance. 

On  August  the  I5th  of  that  year  he  received  a  letter  from 
Genoa  stating  that  his  brother  Abraham  was  getting  worse,  and 
on  Saturday,  the  28th,  he  received  the  sad  news  of  his  death, 
which  took  place  at  Lyons  whilst  on  his  way  back  from  Cannes. 

"  It  was  only  in  the  month  of  January  last,"  Mr  Montefiore 
says  of  his  brother,  "  that  when  his  medical  attendant  recom- 
mended him  to  take  a  sea  voyage,  he  agreed  to  go  with  me  to 
Jerusalem,  if  I  would  hire  a  ship  to  take  us  there."  "  Seize, 
mortal,"  Mr  Montefiore  continues,  quoting  the  words  of  the  poet  : 

"  Seize  the  transient  hour, 
Improve  each  moment  as  it  flies  ; 

Life  a  short  summer — man  a  flower  ; 
He  dies,  alas  !  how  soon  he  dies." 

1825  (5855  A.M.). — The  lessons  he  sets  for  himself  this  year 
are  given  in  quotations  from  authors,  the  selections  showing  the 
reflex  of  the  impressions  made  on  his  mind  by  current  events. 

The  first  is  an  Italian  proverb  :  "  Chi  parla  semina,  chi  tace 
racolta,"  corresponding  to  the  English,  "  The  talker  sows,  the 
silent  reaps." 

Those  which  follow  are  from  our  own  moralists  : — 

"  A  wise  man  will  desire  no  more  than  what  he  may  get  justly, 
use  soberly,  distribute  cheerfully,  and  live  upon  contentedly." 

"  He  that  loveth  a  book  will  never  want  a  faithful  friend,  a 
wholesome  counsellor,  a  cheerful  companion,  or  an  effective 
comforter." 

"  The  studies  afford  nourishment  to  our  youth,  delight  to  our 
old  age,  adorn  prosperity,  supply  a  refuge  in  adversity,  and  are  a 
constant  source  of  pleasure  at  home ;  they  are  no  impediment 
while  abroad,  and  attend  us  in  the  night  season,  in  our  travels, 
and  in  our  retirement." 


Daily  Life.  31 

"  He  may  be  well  content  that  need  not  borrow  nor  flatter." 

He  attends  this  year  regularly  all  the  meetings  of  eight  com- 
panies or  associations  :  the  Alliance  British  and  Foreign  Life 
and  Fire  Assurance,  the  Alliance  Marine  Assurance,  the  Im- 
perial Continental  Gas  Association,  the  Provincial  Bank  of  Ire- 
land, the  Imperial  Brazilian  Mining,  the  Chilian  and  Peruvian 
Mining,  the  Irish  Manufactory,  and  the  British  Colonial  Silk 
Company. 

With  all  this,  no  doubt  often  very  exciting  work,  he  still 
finds  time  for  attending  all  the  meetings  of  charitable  institu- 
tions of  which  he  is  a  member,  more  especially  those  of  his  own 
community ;  while  he  is  often  met  in  the  house  of  mourning 
performing  duties  sometimes  most  painful  and  distressing  to  a 
sympathising  heart. 

February  1 1  th. — He  attends  for  the  first  time  the  General 
Board  of  the  Provincial  Bank  of  Ireland. 

Being  now  considered  an  authority  of  high  standing  in  the 
financial  world,  various  offers  were  made  to  him  by  promoters  to 
join  their  companies  or  become  one  of  their  directors.  Among 
these  undertakings  is  one  which  I  will  name  on  account  of  the 
interest  every  man  of  business  now  takes  in  it.  I  allude  to  a 
company  which  had  for  its  object  the  cutting  of  a  ship  canal  for 
uniting  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  Oceans. 

He  refused  the  directorship  of  that  gigantic  undertaking, 
which,  after  having  been  abandoned  for  nearly  sixty  years, 
was  again  taken  up,  under  the  name  of  the  Panama  Canal,  by 
M.  de  Lesseps. 

Thirty  years  later  Mr  Montefiore  also  refused  to  take  a 
leading  part  or  directorship  in  the  Suez  Canal  Company,  which 
M.  de  Lesseps  had  offered  him  when  in  Egypt.  I  happened  to 
be  present  at  the  time  when  M.  de  Lesseps  called  on  him  with 
that  object.  It  was  in  the  year  1855,  when  Mr  Montefiore  had 
become  Sir  Moses  Montefiore,  and  was  enjoying  the  hospitality 
of  his  late  Highness  Said  Pasha,  who  gave  him  one  of  his 
palaces  to  reside  in  during  his  stay  at  Alexandria. 

M.  de  Lesseps  spoke  to  him  for  several  hours  on  the  subject, 
but  he  could  not  be  persuaded  that  so  great  an  undertaking  was 
destined  to  be  a  pecuniary  success. 

May  %>th. — Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  leave  for  Paris.  On 
their  return  they  proceed  in  July  to  Oxford  ;  and,  at  the  end  of 


32          Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

the  same  month,  we  see  them  in  Ireland,  whither  Mr  Montefiore 
went  as  a  member  of  the  deputation  sent  by  the  Provincial 
Bank.  In  recognition  of  the  services  rendered  to  the  Board  by 
himself  and  the  other  members  of  the  deputation,  a  resolution 
was  passed,  a  copy  of  which  is  here  subjoined. 

"PROVINCIAL  BANK  OF  IRELAND, 
"Friday,  September  gth,  1825. 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  Court — Present: — John  Morris,  Esq., 
in  the  chair;  M.  Attwood,  Esq.,  M.P. ;  H.  A.  Douglas,  Esq.; 
S.  A.  Madgan,  Esq. ;  J.  T.  Thorp,  Esq. ;  Jas.  Brogdon,  Esq., 
M.P. ;  J.  R.  Macqueen,  Esq.,  M.P. ;  C.  E.  Prescott,  Esq. ;  S.  N. 
Ward,  Esq. 

"  Resolved  unanimously,  That  the  cordial  thanks  of  the 
Court  are  due  to  Messrs  Medley,  Montefiore,  and  Blount  for  the 
zeal  and  ability  they  have  evinced  in  the  management  of  the 
business  committed  to  their  care,  the  result  of  which  has  fully 
realised  the  expectations  of  the  Court,  and  will  conduce  most 
essentially  to  the  prosperity  of  the  Company. 

"The  Chairman  is  requested  to  communicate  the  resolution 
to  the  gentlemen  of  the  deputation  on  their  return  from 
Ireland." 

1826  (5586  A.M.). — The  diary  begins  with  the  prayer,  "  Renew 
in  me,  O  Lord,  the  right  spirit." 

For  the  information  of  the  general  reader  I  quote  a  short 
statement  from  some  historical  records  of  the  state  of  financial 
transactions  in  this  and  the  previous  year  which  will  explain  the 
importance  of  the  entries  Mr  Montefiore  made  in  these  years, 
referring  to  monetary  transactions. 

On  the  1 2th  of  January  there  is  an  entry  stating  "the 
Government  will  lend  the  merchants  five  millions  of  Exchequer 
Bills,  and  the  Bank  directors  have  agreed  to  advance  the  money. 
They  will  not  fund  till  June  or  July,  and  then  only  five  or  six 
millions."  "This,"  Mr  Montefiore  thinks,  "is  much  in  favour  of 
stocks." 

One  of  his  acquaintance  died  suddenly  at  this  time,  an 
unfortunate  event  which  he  considered  was  the  fatal  result  of 
large  speculations. 

"These  two  years,"  the  historian  says,  "were  characterised 
by  an  extraordinary  activity  in  all  departments  of  trade  and 


Panama  Canal  Project.  33 

commerce.  Mr  Huskisson,  a  minister  who  was  a  high  authority 
on  commercial  matters,  originated  several  important  measures, 
especially  those  relating  to  the  repeal  of  all  duties  on  goods 
passing  between  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  an  alteration  in  the 
duties  affecting  the  silk  manufacture,  and  the  repeal  of  the 
combination  laws  and  of  the  law  against  the  emigration  of 
artisans ;  while  the  Executive  formed  commercial  treaties,  on 
the  reciprocity  system,  with  various  countries  in  Europe,  and, 
acknowledging  the  independence  of  the  revolted  Spanish 
colonies  in  America,  drew  them  as  additional  customers  into 
the  British  market. 

Capital  now  so  far  exceeded  the  ordinary  means  of  its  em- 
ployment, that  many  joint-stock  companies  were  formed  as  a 
means  of  giving  it  a  wider  scope.  Some  of  these  associations 
professed  objects  which  were  by  long  established  usage  the 
proper  business  of  individuals  alone,  and  others  involved 
hazardous  and  visionary  projects  to  be  carried  into  effect  in 
remote  countries.  The  depressed  state  of  trade  in  1821  and 
1822  had  led  to  a  diminished  importation  and  production  of 
goods,  and  was  succeeded  by  an  advance  of  prices  in  1823.  The 
consequence  was  a  sudden  and  unusually  large  demand  and  a 
powerful  reaction  of  supply,  which  did  not  cease  till  production 
had  far  exceeded  the  bounds  of  moderation. 

Through  the  facilities  afforded  by  a  large  issue  of  paper 
money,  the  delusion  was  kept  up  longer  than  it  would  otherwise 
have  been.  The  first  symptom  of  something  wrong  was  the 
turning  of  the  exchange  against  England.  A  diminution  of 
issues  at  the  bank  followed.  Merchants  began  to  experience 
difficulties  in  meeting  pecuniary  obligations.  Then  took  place 
a  run  upon  the  banks,  some  of  which,  both  in  London  and  the 
country,  were  obliged  to  stop  payment.  Between  October  1825 
and  February  1826,  fifty-nine  commissions  of  bankruptcy  were 
issued  against  English  country  banks,  and  four  times  the  number 
of  private  compositions  were  calculated  to  have  taken  place 
during  the  same  period.  While  merchants  and  manufacturers 
were  without  credit,  their  inferiors  were  without  employment, 
and  distress  reached  almost  every  class  of  the  community. 
Some  liberal  pecuniary  measures  on  the  part  of  the  Bank  of 
England  helped  in  a  short  time,  rather  by  inspiring  confidence 
I.  C 


34         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montcfiore. 

than    by   actual    disbursement  of  money,    to    retrieve  in   some 
measure  the  embarrassed  circumstances  of  the  country. 

"  On  the  same  day,"  Mr  Montefiore  says,  "  when  the  death 
of  an  unfortunate  speculator  caused  a  general  gloom  to  prevail 
in  the  financial  world,  I  was  asked  by  a  gentleman  if  I  had  the 
courage  to  join  him  in  a  speculation,  my  reply  was  I  would  see 
to-morrow."  "  I  fear,"  Mr  Montefiore  observes,  "  this  day's 
awful  lesson  is  quite  lost  upon  him." 

The  entries  I  am  now  giving  are  very  brief,  sometimes 
abrupt,  showing  (probably)  the  excited  state  of  affairs  in  the 
political  and  financial  world,  which  appear  to  have  induced  him 
to  form  a  resolution  to  withdraw  entirely  from  all  the  turmoil  of 
London. 

March  $th. —  Heard  there  will  be  no  war.  The  ministers' 
plan  of  funding  and  repaying  six  millions  of  the  bank  has 
lowered  the  funds. 

March  \"jth. — Attended  the  meeting  of  the  schools;  meet- 
ing of  the  society  for  granting  marriage  portions  to  orphans 
(Spanish  and  Portuguese  Hebrew  community). 

March  2Ot/i. — The  King  of  Portugal  died  ;  The  Emperor 
of  Austria  dangerously  ill  ;  our  good  king  much  better. 

April  gt/t.—  Dined  with  Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild  ;  met  there 
Prince  Esterhazy,  Duke  of  St  Albans,  his  brother  and  two 
sisters,  Lady  Augusta  Cotton,  a  son  of  Lord  Coventry,  and  the 
Earl  of  Lauderdale. 

April  i3//r. — The  Emperor  Nicholas  insists  upon  the  Turks 
evacuating  Moldavia. 

April  \6th. — Attended  meeting  of  the  elders  (Sp.  and  Port. 
Synagogue);  signed  1171  cheques,  dividends  of  the  Alliance, 
sixteen  shillings  per  share. 

June  2Oth. — War  commences  again  in  India,  after  Bhurt- 
pore  had  been  stormed  by  Lord  Combermere  and  peace  made 
with  the  Burmese,  when  they  had  to  pay  £100,000  sterling,  and 
cede  a  great  extent  of  the  territory. 

During  the  following  three  months  he  again  devotes  much 
time  to  communal  affairs,  attending  committees  of  schools  and 
charitable  institutions. 

October   \$th. — Political  events  of  great  importance  attract' 
his  attention.     He  calls  with  Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild  on  Prince 


Extracts  from  Diaries.  35 

Esterhazy,  who  says  that  Canning  and  Villele  are  trying  every 
means  to  settle  a  representative  constitution  for  Spain. 

October  22nd. — The  entry  states,  "Received  an  express  that 
the  differences  between  the  Russians  and  Turks  are  amicably 
settled." 

October  2gth.  —  He  frequently  attends  meetings  of  the 
elders  in  this  and  the  following  month,  also  orders  blankets  for 
distribution  among  the  poor. 

December  \2tk. — The  king  sends  a  message  to  the  House 
to  the  effect  that  five  hundred  troops  would  be  sent  to  Portugal. 

December  i^th. — The  King  of  France's  speech  is  considered 
very  warlike. 

The  diary  concludes  with  the  following  memorandum  : — 

"  By  the  blessings  of  God,  prepare  for  a  trip  to  Jerusalem. 
Get  letters  of  introduction  from  Lord  Auckland  for  Malta,  and 
from  J.  Alexander  for  Constantinople.  Study  Italian,  French, 
and  Hebrew." 


••X 


CHAPTER   V. 

1827. 

FIRST  JOURNEY  TO   JERUSALEM. 

reader  having  accompanied  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore 
through  the  first  period  of  their  life  and  work,  and  seen 
them  deservedly  raised  to  a  position  enabling  them,  if  so  dis- 
posed, to  take  a  prominent  part  in  important  public  movements, 
I  shall  now  describe  all  the  incidents  of  note  in  connection  with 
their  pursuits  in  the  second  period  of  their  lives. 

In  the  year  1827  they  decided  to  visit  Jerusalem.  Their 
sole  reason  for  this  determination  was  a  wish  to  visit  the  Holy 
Land,  a  land  with  which'  their  race  is  connected  by  so  many 
associations,  and  of  which  the  name  is  kept  in  loving  remem- 
brance in  the  prayers  recited  daily  by  every  true  Israelite. 

Mrs  Montefiore  has  given  a  most  interesting  account  of  that 
journey  in  her  private  journal,  printed,  but  not  published,  and 
the  following  narrative  is  based  upon  the  entries  made  therein,. 
and  in  the  diaries  of  Mr  Montefiore.  For  the  better  under- 
standing of  those  extracts  which  bear  upon  politics,  it  may  not 
be  out  of  place  to  briefly  recapitulate  the  circumstances  of  the 
one  important  event  that  occurred  in  the  administration  of 
Viscount  Goderich  (Mr  Robinson),  who  succeeded  Canning  as 
Premier  under  George  IV.  This  event  was  the  battle  of  Navarino, 
which  was  followed  by  the  establishment  of  Greek  independence. 
The  cause  of  Greece  was  supported,  from  different  motives  (see 
Brewer's  "Hume"),  by  Russia,  France,  and  England.  These 
Powers  had  their  squadrons  in  the  Levant,  the  English  being 
under  the  command  of  Sir  Edward  Codrington.  War  had  not 
yet  been  declared ;  the  Turkish  and  Egyptian  fleet,  under 
Ibrahim  Pasha,  lay  in  the  Bay  of  Navarino,  and  there  was  an 
understanding  that  it  should  remain  till  the  affairs  of  Greece 
were  arranged.  As  the  Turks  attempted  to  violate  this  agree- 
ment a  general  engagement  ensued,  and  the  Turkish  and 


First  Journey  to  Jeriisalem.  37 

Egyptian  fleets  were  completely  destroyed  in  the  course  of  a 
few  hours.  By  this  impolitic  act  England -and  France  played 
into  the  hands  of  Russia,  who  was  anxious  to  weaken  the  power 
of  Turkey,  and  thus  they  gave  some  help  towards  the  long- 
cherished  object  of  her  ambition — the  possession  of  Constan- 
tinople. 

On  May  ist,  1827  (5587-8  A.M.),  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore 
repaired  to  Synagogue  as  was  their  custom  early  in  the  morning 
before  undertaking  any  important  work,  for  the  purpose  of 
invoking  the  blessing  of  Divine  Providence  on  this  their  first 
and  long-projected  journey  to  Jerusalem.  Fortified  with  letters 
of  introduction,  in  the  first  instance,  to  Admiral  Codrington, 
then  commanding  on  the  Mediterranean  Station,  and  taking 
with  them  their  own  carriages,  they  travelled  via  Dover,  Calais, 
Turin,  Milan,  Florence,  and  Rome  to  Naples.  Here  a  nephew 
of  Mr  Amschel  Rothschild  assisted  them  in  obtaining  a  vessel 
to  take  them  to  Malta,  where  they  visited  the  plantations  of  the 
Silk  Company  on  the  ditch  of  Porto  Reale.  There  were  about 
5000  mulberry  trees  at  this  place,  as  well  as  about  400  at  Sal 
Marson,  "all  looking  healthy.  We  were  present,"  says  Mrs 
Montefiore,  "  at  a  dinner  given  by  us  in  the  Palace  to  the  men, 
women,  and  children,  who  were  and  had  been  employed  by  the 
Silk  Company,  to  the  number  of  140.  The  hall  was  beautifully 
decorated  with  shrubs  and  flowers,  and  '  Welcome '  was  written 
in  large  letters  at  the  top  of  the  room.  There  were  many  joints 
of  beef,  a  sheep  roasted  whole,  macaroni,  rice,  bread,  cheese, 
water  melons,  and  good  wine.  Everyone  had  as  much  as  he 
could  eat  and  drink.  The  broken  victuals  and  wine  were  after- 
wards distributed  among  the  poor  to  the  number  of  thirty.  A 
band  of  music  then  entered  the  hall,  and  all  present  danced,  as 
happy  as  people  could  be." 

At  the  Palace  Mr  Montefiore  delivered  Lord  Auckland's 
and  Lord  Strangford's  letters  to  the  Governor,  the  Hon.  F.  C. 
Ponsonby,  who  advised  him  to  go  to  the  East  in  a  ship  of  war, 
on  account  of  the  Greek  pirates. 

Amidst  numerous  kind  and  flattering  attentions  from  the 
residents,  amongst  whom  were  Sir  John  Stoddart,  Mr  and  Mrs 
St  John,  Captain  Roberts,  Colonel  Bathurst,  and  Miss  Hamilton, 
amidst  amusements  and  excursions  to  Gozo  and  Marfa,  Mr 
and  Mrs  Montefiore  did  not  forget  on  Thursday,  the  2nd  of 


-8         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

August,  the  fast  which  was  kept  on  the  day  of  the  anniversary 
of  The  destruction  of  the  Temple  in  Jerusalem.  "  Thank  God," 
he  says  in  his  diary,  "we  are  quite  well  after  breaking  our  fast, 
which  we  did  at  9.35,  several  stars  being  then  visible.  The  day 
has  been  dreadfully  hot  and  fatiguing.  My  poor  wife  suffered 
so  much  that  I  endeavoured  to  persuade  her  to  break  her  fast 
about  four  o'clock,  but  she  would  not.  I  felt  extremely  weak, 
but  was  free  from  headache." 

The  next  day,  Captain  Anderson  of  the  Leonidas  called  and 
agreed  to  take  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  and  two  servants  to 
Alexandria,  for  a  consideration  of  £400,  and  to  wait  there 
twenty  days,  and  then  take  them  to  Jaffa.  At  this  stage  Mrs 
Montefiore  was  taken  ill,  but  owing  to  the  kind  attention  of 
Lady  Stoddart,  and  the  assistance  of  Mr  Milan,  the  Governor's 
medical  adviser,  she  soon  recovered. 

Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  now  embarked  on  board  the  Leonidas, 
and  sailed  under  convoy  of  the  Garnet,  with  four  other  vessels 
to  Alexandria.  From  here  they  proceeded  to  Cairo  and  the 
Pyramids,  where,  by  the  courtesy  of  Mr  Salt,  the  British  Consul 
General,  Mr  Montefiore  had  the  honour  of  being  presented  to 
Mohhammad  'Ali  Pasha  in  full  divan.  Mr  Maltass,  the  Vice 
Consul,  acted  as  interpreter,  the  Pacha  speaking  Turkish  and 
his  visitor  French.  "  We  were  graciously  received,"  Mr  Monte- 
fiore says,  "  and  remained  in  conversation  three  quarters  of  an 
hour.  We  had  coffee  with  him.  He  spoke  much  of  his  wishes 
to  improve  his  people,  enquired  where  I  was  going,  if  I  was 
pleased  with  Egypt,  and  paid  me  some  compliments.  After  the 
interview  I  rode  to  the  Obelisk.  On  my  return  I  called  on  Mr 
Salt.  I  found  him  much  alarmed  at  the  non-arrival  of  a  des- 
patch which  had  been  sent  by  an  English  sloop  of  war.  The 
Porte  had  refused  the  mediation,  and  the  English  Admiral  had 
orders  to  act.  Mr  Salt  was  to  see  the  Pasha  in  the  morning, 
and  would  then  set  off  for  Alexandria.  The  Pasha  wrote  to  him 
saying  that  Mr  Canning  had  died  on  the  22nd." 

The  party  now  returned  to  Alexandria,  where  they  heard 
conflicting  news  with  regard  to  the  possibility  of  war.  Mean- 
while they  visited  all  places  of  interest,  especially  the  Syna- 
gogues, where  the  services  appeared  somewhat  strange  to  them. 
Special  mention  is  made  of  the  Synagogue  of  Signer  Fua,  which 
they  visited  on  New  Year's  Day,  many  of  the  tunes  sung  there 


First  Journey  to  Jerusalem.  39 

being  the  same  as  those  used  in  the  London  Synagogues.  The 
portion  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures  was  admirably  read  there  by  a 
young  boy,  "  more  in  the  German  manner  than  in  the  Portu- 
guese." The  Scroll  of  the  Pentateuch  was  in  a  wooden  case, 
over  which  was  the  cloak,  and  the  President  called  up  as  many 
as  twenty  to  hear-  the  Law  read  to  them.  The  day  of  Atone- 
ment and  the  Tabernacle  Holidays  had  to  be  spent  here  in 
consequence  of  the  impossibility  of  obtaining  means  of  proceed- 
ing further.  "  I  have  still  every  desire,"  says  Mr  Montefiore, 
"  to  proceed  to  Jerusalem,  but  cannot  find  any  person  willing  to 
go  with  me.  Although  the  plague  was  at  Acre,  the  whole  of 
Syria  in  revolt,  the  Christians  fleeing  to  the  mountains  for  safety, 
the  question  of  peace  or  war  still  undecided,  he  himself  ill,  and 
Mrs  Montefiore  by  no  means  recovered  from  her  recent  attack, 
he  nevertheless  determined  at  all  risks  to  proceed  to  Jaffa  and 
Jerusalem."  "  I  find,"  he  observed  to  his  anxious  wife,  "  my 
health  and  strength  failing  me  so  fast  in  this  city,  that  I  deem  it 
now  prudent  to  flee  from  it,  even  at  the  chance  of  encountering 
the  '  Greek  pirates.' "  He  engaged  for  this  purpose  the  Henry 
Williams,  a  brig  of  167  tons,  under  Captain  Jones,  to  take  them 
to  Jaffa  and  bring  them  back  for  .£50. 

"  I  think,"  he  says,  "  I  more  ardently  desire  to  leave  Egypt 
than  ever  our  forefathers  did.  No  one  will  ever  recite  the  pass- 
over  service  "  (which  gives  an  account  of  the  exo  Jus  from  Egypt) 
"with  more  true  devotion  than  I  shall  do,  when  it  pleases  Pro- 
vidence to  restore  me  to  my  own  country,  and  redeem  me  and 
my  dear  wife  from  this  horrible  land  of  misery  and  plague,  the 
hand  of  God  being  still  upon  it." 

These  are  expressions  to  which  most  persons  in  Egypt  might 
frequently  give  utterance,  when  in  a  state  of  great  pain  and 
irritation,  tormented  by  thousands  of  mosquitoes,  and  more 
especially  when  living  in  small  confined  apartments  like  those 
of  the  casino  then  occupied  by  Mr  Montefiore.  Only  those  who 
have  been  in  Egypt  fifty  or  sixty  years  ago  can  form  an  idea 
of  the  discomfort  a  traveller  then  had  to  put  up  with,  and 
this  was  naturally  keenly  felt  by  those  who,  like  Mr  Montefiore, 
had  been  used  to  every  comfort  and  attention  in  an  English  home. 
Tuesday,  October  \6t/t. — They  arrive  at  Jaffa.  The  Governor 
at  first  refused  to  allow  any  Franks  to  land,  ana  ordered  Captain 
Jones  off,  but  the  British  Consul  having  procured  permission  for 


40          Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

them,  they  landed  at  mid-day.  They  found  the  road  level  and 
very  sandy,  lined  with  prickly  pear,  pomegranate,  fig,  orange, 
and  lemon  trees,  the  finest  they  had  ever  seen.  On  reaching 
Ramlah,  Mr  Montefiore  was  so  fatigued  he  could  scarcely  dis- 
mount ;  almost  too  weak  to  walk. 

Wednesday,  October  17  th  —  They  left  Ramlah  at  7  A.M.,  and 
entered  the  gate  of  David  at  Jerusalem  at  5  P.M. 

On  approaching  the  holy  city  they  dismount,  manifesting 
their  grief  at  the  sight  of  Jerusalem  in  ruins,  as  mourners  do 
when  bewailing  the  loss  of  some  dear  relative.  Mr  and  Mrs 
Montefiore  then  offered  up  a  fervent  prayer,  giving  thanks  to 
God  for  having  brought  them  safely  to  Jerusalem,  the  great  and 
long  desired  object  of  their  journey,  and  praying  for  His  blessing 
on  all  they  loved. 

They  then  repaired  to  the  house  of  Mr  Joseph  Amzalak, 
while  the  gentlemen  who  accompanied  them  took  up  their 
quarters  in  the  Greek  convent. 

Thursday,  October  i8//r. — They  attend  Synagogue  at  break  of 
day  in  the  house  of  their  host  "  Thanks  to  Providence,"  Mr 
Montefiore  says,  "  I  feel  better,  though  still  very  weak."  They 
receive  visits  from  the  head  and  representatives  of  the  Spanish 
Hebrew  community,  also  from  the  head  and  representatives  of 
the  German  Hebrew  community,  all  making  the  kindest  offers 
of  their  services.  Great  complaints  were  made  of  poverty  in 
Jerusalem,  and  oppression  by  the  Governors,  who  were  for  ever 
calling  for  more  money.  "  There  are,"  they  said,  "  fifty  Portu- 
guese families,  consisting  of  about  200  individuals;  forty 
German  families,  or  160  persons  ;  and  near  200  elderly  widows 
in  great  distress." 

Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  subsequently  went  to  see  the 
foundation  stones  of  the  ancient  Temple,  generally  called  the 
"  Western  Wall "  ;  also  to  a  house,  from  the  roof  of  which  they 
had  a  fine  view  of  the  Mosque  of  Omar,  which  is  built  on  the 
site  of  Solomon's  Temple.  On  their  return  they  called  on  the  Rev. 
Haham  Moses  Soozin  (the  spiritual  head  of  the  Portuguese  com- 
munity), but  as  he  happened  to  be  out,  they  went  to  take  coffee 
with  the  Rev.  Rabbi  Mendel,  who  occupied  a  like  position  in  the 
German  community.  "  He  had  prepared  an  excellent  room  tor 
us,"  writes  Mr  Montefiore,  "  but  our  kind  host  would  not  allow 
us  to  leave  him."  During  their  absence  from  home  the  Governor 


First  Journey  to  Jerusalem.  41 

sent  to  say,  that  he  expected  Mr  Montefiore  to  come  and  take 
•coffee,  and  that  he  regretted  that  Mr  Montefiore  should  have 
gone  to  the  Jews :  if  he  did  not  like  going  to  the  convent,  he 
would  have  given  him  a  house  in  the  city.  Mr  Montefiore,  on 
hearing  the  message,  said,  "  I  hope  I  shall  ever  live  and  die  in 
the  society  of  my  brethren  of  Israel." 

Friday,  \gth.  —  This  being  the  Mohammedan  Sabbath,  the 
Governor  was  at  the  Mosque,  and  Mr  Montefiore  could  not  call 
on  him.  Mrs  Montefiore,  accompanied  by  some  ladies  and 
travelling  companions,  went  to  see  the  tomb  of  Rachel.  Mr 
Montefiore  and  his  host,  Mr  Amzalak,  proceeded  to  a  college 
bearing  the  name  of  "  Etz-Khayim  "  (tree  of  life),  for  the  cultiva- 
tion of  theological  studies.  It  belongs  to  the  Portuguese  com- 
munity, and  was  established  148  years  ago  by  an  English 
gentleman  of  the  name  of  "  Franco." 

Mr  Montefiore  then  went  to  the  ancient  burial  ground, 
where  he  obtained  some  terra  santa  to  take  home  with  him. 
On  his  return  to  the  house  of  his  host,  he  found  every  member 
of  the  family  prepared  to  welcome  the  Sabbath.  The  apart- 
ments were  beautifully  clean  and  ready  one  hour  before  the 
time  fixed  for  the  commencement  of  prayers.  After  having 
attended  Synagogue,  they  had  an  excellent  dinner,  their  host 
and  hostess  being  most  kind  and  chatty. 

"  I  was  in  better  spirits,"  said  Mr  Montefiore,  "  than  I  had 
been  for  months." 

Saturday,  October  2Otk. — They  again  attended  the  house  of 
•God.  Mr  Montefiore  took  the  opportunity  to  offer  a  special 
prayer  in  grateful  recognition  of  the  great  mercy  it  had  pleased 
heaven  to  bestow  upon  him  and  his  wife,  in  permitting  them  to 
behold  the  Land  of  Promise. 

The  President  of  the  congregation  requested  Mr  Montefiore 
not  to  make  any  offering  of  a  large  amount,  otherwise  the  local 
authorities  might  hear  of  it,  and  would  still  further  raise  their 
taxes. 

At  12  o'clock  they  called  on  the  Rev.  Haham  Moses  Soozin, 
after  which  they  went  to  dine  with  the  Rev.  Rabbi  Mendel. 
Here  Mr  Montefiore  expressed  his  hope  that  both  the  German 
and  Portuguese  communities  would  always  remain  united  in  the 
blessed  bonds  of  harmony.  In  the  afternoon  he  paid  his 
respects  to  the  Governor  at  the  Palace.  The  Governor  onered 


42         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

him  coffee  and  other  refreshments,  and  was  extremely  civil  and 
friendly.  On  Mr  Montefiorc's  expressing  a  wish  to  see  Jerusalem 
again,  his  Excellency  said  he  would  be  happy  to  let  him  have 
his  guard.  Mr  Montefiore  sent  him  a  valuable  telescope  as  a 
souvenir  of  the  pleasant  interviews,  while  hoping  that  the 
Governor  might  behave  better  to  the  Jews  in  future.  His  Ex- 
cellency, in  return,  as  a  token  of  his  appreciation  of  Mr  Monte- 
fiore's  visit,  affixed  the  Visa  to  his  passport  in  most  flattering 
terms.  As  these  were  very  peculiar,  I  append  a  translation. 

"We  declare  that  to-day  arrived  at  Jerusalem  our  friend  the 
English  gentleman,  Mr  Montefiore.  He  has  visited  all  the  holy 
places,  and  all  the  grandees  of  the  town,  as  well  as  several  of 
lesser  note,  who  have  been  highly  gratified  by  making  his 
acquaintance,  he  being  a  person  of  the  greatest  merit,  and  un- 
equalled among  the  nation  for  propriety  and  amiability  of 
manners  ;  and  having  ourselves  experienced  the  highest  pleasure 
in  his  society  we  have  written  this  to  testify  our  sense  of  his- 
politeness. 

"Given  in  the  last  day  of  Rubic-el-owal,  1243. 

"£L  HHA'JJ  HAFIZ  MOHHAMMAD  RASHID 
SATHASHOUR  (OR  SELHHOOR)  HASSA, 
Governor  of  Jerusalem" 

"  No  city  in  the  world,"  Mr  Montefiore  observes  in  his  diary, 
"  can  have  a  finer  situation  than  this ;  nor  is  there  a  better 
climate  ;  "  and  he  concludes  his  record  of  his  day's  proceedings 
by  wishing  "  Many  happy  returns  of  the  day  to  his  dear 
Judith." 

The  2Oth  of  October  being  his  wife's  birthday,  which  was 
generally  signalised,  whether  at  home  or  abroad,  by  the  distri- 
bution of  numerous  gifts  to  the  poor  and  to  the  charitable  insti- 
tutions, it  was,  as  a  matter  of  course,  thus  observed  in  the  Holy 
City,  and  in  an  unusually  liberal  spirit. 

Sunday,  October  2.\st. — Their  short  -sojourn  in  Jerusalem  was 
now  concluded.  Mr  Montefiore  rose  at  half-past  two  in  the 
morning,  and  joined  a  number  of  persons  who  had  been  sitting 
up  all  night  in  the  house  of  his  host  praying  for  his  safe  return, 
and  for  the  welfare  of  all  friends  and  lovers  of  Zion.  Both  the 
Rev.  Moses  Soozin  and  the  Rev.  Rabbi  Mendel,  accompanied 


First  Jo^lrney  to  Jerusalem.  43 

by  more  than  one  hundred  of  the  principal  inhabitants,  came  to 
see  them  off.  At  7.38  they  took  leave  of  their  kind  host  and 
hostess,  who  had  most  liberally  housed  and  fed  them  without 
asking  for  the  smallest  remuneration,  and  had  loaded  them  with 
cakes,  wine,  &c.,  for  their  journey.  After  a  charming  ride  of 
over  five  hours  between  the  mountains  they  came  to  the  first 
well  at  the  commencement  of  the  plains,  and  arrived  at  the 
Greek  convent  of  Ramlah.  The  road  was  very  stony,  rough, 
and  steep,  but  no  precipices  ;  on  the  sides  of  the  mountains  were 
olives  and  fruit  trees  ;  the  valleys  well  cultivated,  the  plain  sandy. 

They  saw  nothing  of  Aboo-Goosh,  who  was  then  the  terror 
of  the  land,  but  they  went  rather  in  fear  of  him. 

Tuesday,  23rd. — They  started  from  Ramlah  at  /  A.M.,  and 
reached  Jaffa  at  10.30,  where  they  stayed  a  day,  and  then  em- 
barked on  board  the  Henry  Williams.  The  next  day,  being 
the  anniversary  of  Mr  Montefiore's  birthday,  he  makes  an  entry 
of  the  event  in  his  diary  in  the  following  words  : — 

"This  day  I  begin  a  new  era.  I  fully  intend  to  dedicate 
much  more  time  to  the  welfare  of  the  poor,  and  to  attend 
Synagogue  as  regularly  as  possible  on  Monday,  Thursday,  and 
Saturday." 

Thursday,  October  2$th. — They  were  hailed  about  1.30  P.M. 
by  seven  large  boats,  Turkish  men-of-war,  full  of  soldiers,  who 
mistook  them  for  Greeks.  These  boats  came  alongside  and 
continued  very  close,  appearing  to  entertain  great  suspicions  of 
them,  as  several  Greek  vessels  had  been  cruising  off  the  port 
during  the  day.  At  dawn,  however,  they  were  convinced  of 
their  mistake.  The  following  day,  when  close  to  the  harbour 
of  Alexandria,  the  travellers  saw  a  Turkish  corvette  blown  up. 
It  had  been  used  as  a  training  ship  for  the  Pasha's  midshipmen, 
and  it  was  supposed  that  two  hundred  persons  perished-  This 
awful  occurrence  greatly  terrified  them.  They  offered  up  addi- 
tional thanks  to  heaven  for  having  hitherto  held  them  under  its 
merciful  protection. 

At  9.52  A.M.  they  returned  to  the  harbour  of  Alexandria, 
went  on  shore,  and  paid  a  visit  to  Mr  and  Mrs  Barker,  where 
they  met  the  Austrian  Consul.  They  also  called  on  other 
friends,  who  were  pleasantly  surprised  to  see  them  return  so 
speedily,  having  been  uneasy  about  them  on  account  of  the 
many  Greek  vessels  which  had  been  off  the  harbour  for  some 


44 


Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 


time  past.  In  the  evening  they  went  on  board  the  Leonidas, 
where  they  purposed  remaining. 

Saturday,  October  271/1.  —  Mr  and  Mrs  Barker,  Captain 
Richard  of  the  Pelorus,  Messrs  Bell  and  Harris,  paid  them  a 
visit,  bringing  the  news  that  the  Pasha  had  received  an  account 
of  the  British  Admiral  having  fired  on  a  Turkish  ship,  obliging 
her  to  put  back  into  port  Mr  Barker  said  that  the  Pasha  had 
told  him  on  the  previous  night  that  he  expected  war,  that  it 
would  be  one  of  religion,  and  would  last  fifty  years.  "  These 
were  the  words,"  Mr  Montefiore  writes  in  his  diary,  "  Mr  Salt 
had  uttered  to  me  on  the  5th  of  September.  Captain  Richards 
also  thought  there  would  be  war.  Six  vessels  came  into  the 
harbour,  and  every  one  had  been  plundered  by  Greek  pirates. 
A  fine  Genoese  sloop  which  they  passed  on  Thursday  near 
Rosetta  had  been  boarded  in  the  evening  and  robbed  ;  two 
other  ships  were  also  plundered  in  sight  of  the  harbour  of  Alex- 
andria on  the  same  day,  and  although  witnessed  by  the  men-of- 
war,  the  wind  prevented  any  of  them  giving  chase."  "  In  truth," 
Mr  Montefiore  says,  "  I  have  every  reason  to  believe  that  for  the 
last  three  months  we  are  the  only  persons,  sailing  without  a 
convoy,  who  have  escaped." 

Tuesday,  October  ysth. — They  went  on  shore  to  be  present 
at  the  naming  of  Mr  S.  M.  Fua's  infant  son. 

The  women  who  generally  attend  on  festive  as  well  as  on 
mournful  occasions,  made  a  horrid  noise,  which,  however,  ap- 
peared to  please  the  Egyptian  guests  very  much.  Mr  Monte- 
fiore called  on  Mr  Barker,  and  the  latter  gave  him  the  firman 
from  the  Pasha,  which  was  to  facilitate  his  travelling  in  Egypt. 
Mr  Barker  also  begged  of  him,  in  the  event  of  Mr  Salt's  death, 
to  use  his  influence  to  obtain  for  him  the  post  of  consul  general. 
Mr  Salt,  it  afterwards  appeared,  must  have  been  already  dead 
when  Mr  Barker  made  this  request,  but,  in  all  probability,  he 
did  not  like  to  break  the  sad  news  to  one  just  coming  from  a 
place  of  festivity. 

"  I  little  expected,"  says  Mr  Montefiore,  "  when  I  took  leave 
of  him  on  the  pth  of  this  month,  previous  to  my  departure  for 
Jerusalem,  that  it  would  be  the  last  time  I  should  see  him. 
Upon  my  enquiring  then  of  him  if  I  could  do  anything  for  him 
in  the  Holy  City,  he  thanked  me,  and  said,  'only  pray  for  me.' 
To  the  will  of  God  we  must  all  submit." 


First  Journey  to  Jerusalem*  45 

Wednesday,  October  ^\st. — The  Pasha  has  this  day  made  a 
proclamation  in  Alexandria,  calling  upon  all  true  Mussulmans 
to  come  forward  immediately  for  the  protection  of  their 
religion,  and  to  commence  work  at  the  fortification  instantly. 
Capt.  Richards,  who  paid  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  a  late  visit  in 
the  evening,  said  that  he  should  sail  the  next  day  after  the 
funeral.  He  had  just  come  from  the  Pasha,  who  told  him  that 
the  Grand  Signor  (the  Sultan)  had  given  orders  to  proceed  to 
sea  at  all  hazards. 

Thursday,  November  1st. — Mr  Montefiore  attended  the  funeral 
of  Mr  Salt.  All  the  foreign  Consuls  were  present  in  full  uniform, 
also  Capt.  Richards  of  the  Pelorus,  with  his  officers,  and  many 
others — merchants,  captains,  &c.  "  The  procession,"  he  writes, 
"  was  headed  by  two  handsome  horses  of  the  Pasha,  without 
riders,  then  followed  twelve  of  his  janizaris  (yenitjeri),  twelve 
English  marines,  with  arms  reversed,  and  the  English  naval 
officers.  The  coffin  was  carried  by  six  British  sailors,  and  the 
pall  was  supported  by  six  consuls,  Mr  Barker  acting  as  chief 
mourner,  and  being  followed  by  other  consuls,  merchants, 
captains,  &c.  Mr  Salt  was  buried  in  the  garden  attached  to 
his  cottage,  the  Latin  Convent  having  refused  him  burial, 
although  his  wife  is  interred  there,  he  being  a  Protestant."  After 
the  funeral  service,  the  marines  fired  three  rounds.  The 
Pelorns  fired  minute  guns  during  the  procession.  The  distance 
was  nearly  half-a-mile.  and  the  dust  and  heat  were  so  unbearable 
that  Mr  Montefiore  says,  "  I  was  apprehensive  of  getting  the 
fever." 

Friday,  2nd. —  A  Turkish  corvette  brings  news  that  the 
allied  admirals  off  Navarino  had,  a  fortnight  before,  sent  word 
to  Ibrahim  Pasha  to  send  the  Egyptian  fleet  to  Alexandria 
and  the  Ottoman  fleet  to  Constantinople,  which  he  had  refused 
to  do.  The  allied  fleet  then  entered  the  ports  in  defiance  of  all 
the  batteries,  destroyed  thirteen  of  the  Pasha's  finest  ships,  and 
thirty-two  of  the  Sultan's,  with  a  reported  loss  of  6000  or  8000 
lives  on  the  side  of  the  Turks.  The  allied  fleet  then  sailed  from 
Navarino,  probably  for  Constantinople.  All  the  Franks  in 
Alexandria  are  in  the  greatest  alarm,  dreading  the  revenge  of 
the  soldiers  and  Turks. 

Saturday,  November  yd. — Mr  Barker  sent  a  note  with  an 
extract  of  the  Admiral's  letter  to  him,  confirming  yesterday's 


46         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte fiore. 

news.  The  battle  was  fought  on  the  2Oth  October,  the  Turks 
being  said  to  have  been  the  aggressors.  The  Turco-Egyptian  fleet 
was  annihilated,  with  a  loss  of  sooOTnen.  "  We  are  extremely  un- 
easy," Mr  Montefiore  says,  "  at  the  prospect  of  not  being  allowed 
to  sail  next  Tuesday  with  the  French  convoy,  the  French  captain 
having  refused  to  give  instructions  to,  or  to  take  charge  of,  any 
but  French  ships.  He  said  we  might  sail  at  the  same  time,  and 
if  we  could  keep  up  with  him,  he  would  defend  us,  but  he  could 
not  stop  one  moment,  or  shorten  sail  for  us  to  keep  company. 
Mr  Barker  has  promised  to  go  on  board  the  Commodore  and 
solicit  the  captain,  as  a  personal  favour,  to  direct  the  schooner 
to  give  us  instructions. 

Sunday,  November  ^th. — Mr  Barker  has  been  with  the  Pasha, 
who  spoke  lightly  of  the  loss  of  his  fleet,  and  said  he  would  soon 
have  another.  His  sentiments  continued  unchanged  with  regard 
to  the  Franks,  and  he  pledged  himself  for  their  security  ;  he 
said  it  was  contrary  to  the  Mooslim  religion  to  destroy 
Christians,  and  in  the  event  of  the  Sultan  permitting  such 
violence,  he  could  not  be  called  a  good  Mooslim  afterwards. 
"  A  poor  satisfaction  for  those  he  murdered,"  writes  Mr 
Montefiore. 

Monday,  November  $th. — They  went  on  shore  to  take  leave 
of  all  their  friends.  Mr  Barker  gave  Mr  Montefiore  a  letter 
to  Lord  Dudley,  soliciting  the  post  of  consul-general.  He 
advised  Capt.  Anderson,  as  a  friend,  not  to  start,  and  the 
person  who  had  chartered  the  captain's  vessel  also  insisted 
-on  her  waiting  for  a  proper  convoy,  as  the  French  schooner 
had  refused  to  be  delayed  at  sea  for  any  but  French  ships.  Mr 
Barker  advised  Mr  Montefiore  to  go  by  one  of  the  French 
vessels.  "They  had  the  conscience,"  Mr  Montefiore  says,  "  to 
ask  10,000  francs.  Capt.  Anderson,  however,  has  resolved  to 
go,  and  we  shall  go  with  him." 


CHAPTER    VI. 

1827-1828. 

MR  AND  MRS  MONTEFIORE  LEAVE  ALEXANDRIA — A  SEA 
VOYAGE  SIXTY  YEARS  AGO. 

J/T/EDNESDA  Y,  November  jt/i,  1827.— Mr  and  Mrs  Monte- 

fiore  left  Egypt.     At  1 1  A.M.  they  were  out  of  the  harbour, 

sailing  under  the  protection  of  the  French  schooner  La  DaupJii- 

noise,  Capt  Auvray,  the  convoy  consisting  of  four  French,  one 

Austrian,  three  English,  and  one  Russian  vessel. 

Tuesday,  Wednesday,  and  Thursday. — They  proceeded  with 
some  difficulty,  but  on  Friday,  November  30,  all  on  board 
thought  they  would  be  able  to  enter  the  harbour  of  Malta,  as 
the  weather  was  favourable,  and  Captain  Anderson  had  resolved 
to  make  the  attempt,  although  the  sun  had  already  set.  In 
about  two  hours  they  were  so  near  the  shore  that  they  could  see 
the  lights  distinctly,  and  they  could  not  have  been  more  than  a 
mile  from  the  mouth  of  the  port.  All  were  extremely  happy, 
•expecting  to  anchor  within  an  hour.  "  How  frail  are  human 
joys,"  exclaims  Mr  Montefiore  ;  "  most  suddenly  the  wind  had 
changed  again  to  the  west,  and  commenced  blowing  in  a  terrific 
manner.  Thus,  in  an  instant,  were  our  hopes  gone,  and  we 
were  blown  off  the  land,  a  tremendous  sea  obliging  us  to  take  to 
our  beds.  God  only  knows  when  we  shall  reach  Malta." 

Saturday,  December  I. — "The  last  was  a  dreadful  night,"  he 
writes,  "  it  blew  almost  a  hurricane :  a  frightful  sea  :  the  ship 
rolled  and  pitched  so  as  to  occasion  serious  alarm  to  all  on 
board.  Poor  Judith  suffered  severely.  The  captain  had  never 
in  his  life  experienced  a  worse  night,  and  to  prevent  our  being 
blown  further  off  Malta,  he  carried  a  press  of  sail.  I  shall  never 
forget  the  night,  but  on  each  Sabbath  eve  shall  recollect  with 
gratitude  God's  mercy  in  saving  us  from  destruction.  This 
morning,  at  daybreak,  we  were  five  miles  off  Malta,  having 
retained  this  situation  by  tacking  backwards  and  forwards 


48         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiorc. 

during  the  night.  The  weather  continued  rough  and  stormy, 
but  thanks  be  to  the  Almighty  God,  we  anchored  safely  in  the 
quarantine  harbour  at  half-past  seven,  after  a  long  and  boisterous 
voyage  of  twenty-four  days." 

In  commemoration  of  this  merciful  event,  it  became  a  custom 
of  Mr  Montefiore,  from  the  year  in  which  it  took  place,  to  the 
last  year  of  his  life,  to  read  on  the  first  night  of  the  Passover 
Festival,  the  entry  he  then  made  in  his  journal,  consisting  of 
several  appropriate  verses  from  the  Psalms  of  David. 

"  Sir  John  Stoddart  wrote  me  a  very  friendly  note,  and  came 
to  the  waterside  to  see  us.  After  dinner  we  left  the  Leonidas, 
having  spent  more  than  three  months  in  Captain  Anderson's 
company,  and  slept  sixty-eight  nights  on  board  his  ship.  He 
was  most  attentive  and  obliging,  and  we  left  him  with  regret." 

At  five  minutes  past  five  they  entered  the  Lazaretto. 

Sunday ',  December  2nd. — The  Governor  sent  his  private  secre- 
tary to  thank  them  for  a  turtle  which  they  had  brought  him  as 
a  present,  and  to  enquire  after  their  health,  requesting  particu- 
larly to  be  informed  how  the  news  of  the  battle  of  Navarino  had 
been  received  at  Alexandria.  Mr  Montefiore  replied  by  a  special 
letter.  Sir  John  Stoddart,  the  chief  judge,  with  his  daughter 
and  Mr  Maxwell,  came  to  pay  them  a  visit,  but  they  were  hot 
allowed  to  approach  within  two  yards  of  them.  Captains 
Anderson  and  Jones  called  and  brought  the  news  that  the 
Martha,  Captain  Smart,  had  come  into  harbour  ;  they  had  been 
plundered  and  dreadfully  ill-treated  by  the  Greeks. 

In  the  course  of  their  stay  at  Malta,  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore 
had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  a  visit  from  Captain  Lewis  Davies 
of  the  Rose,  the  hero  of  Navarino  ;  they  had  met  him  before  at 
the  houses  of  Mr  Barker  and  the  late  Mr  Salt  in  Alexandria. 
He  remained  with  them  a  full  hour,  giving  a  most  interesting 
description  of  the  battle. 

After  so  long  an  absence  abroad,  Mr  Montefiore,  one  might 
have  thought,  would  have  been  longing  to  be  back  in  England 
to  take  a  rest,  but  he  has  no  such  idea ;  on  the  contrary,  he  is 
already  planning  another  tour  in  connection  with  business.  On 
Sunday,  December  Qth,  he  writes,  "  I  much  wish  it  may  be  in 
my  power,  after  our  return  to  England,  to  see  Vienna,  and  visit 
our  Gas  Establishments  at  Berlin,  Hanover,  Rotterdam,  and 
Ghent  I  shall  strive  to  do  to,  provided  I  succeed  in  reaching 


Leave  Alexandria.  49 

London  by  the  end  of  February.  As  soon  as  we  get  pratique, 
we  shall  endeavour  to  procure  a  vessel  for  Palermo,  remain  there 
a  couple  of  days,  thence  to  Naples,  where  I  hope  to  get  letters 
from  our  dear  mother  and  friends." 

In  the  course  of  this  narrative  we  shall  have  frequent  oppor- 
tunities of  witnessing  a  peculiar  characteristic  of  his.  When  he 
had  achieved  some  great  work,  and  was  yet  engaged  in  affixing 
his  signature  to  a  report  on  the  same,  whilst  all  his  fellow- 
workers  were  exhausted  with  fatigue,  his  restless  activity  would 
impel  him  to  begin  a  fresh  scheme  for  the  alleviation  of  distress 
or  for  the  cause  of  humanity,  notwithstanding  his  own  exertions, 
and  in  spite  of  many  nights  of  anxiety  which  may  have  attended 
his  former  enterprise. 

Thursday,  December  i$th. — This  being  the  1 966th  anniver- 
sary of  the  victory  of  the  Maccabees,  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore 
celebrated  it  by  special  prayers  and  thanksgivings,  an  additional 
number  of  lights  being  burnt  in  honour  of  the  occasion.  A 
Russian  officer,  who  happened  to  be  their  neighbour  in  the 
Lazaretto,  spoke  in  glowing  terms  of  the  bravery  of  Jewish 
soldiers  in  Russia,  and  of  their  wonderful  endurance  in  the 
days  of  want  and  distress  so  often  experienced  during  the  war. 

When  Mr  (then.  Sir  Moses)  Montefiore  appeared  before  the 
Emperor  Nicholas  in  the  year  1846^0  plead  the  cause  of  his 
brethren,  he  had  the  -satisfaction  of  hearing  similar  remarks 
from  His  Majesty's  lips. 

Friday,  i^t/i  December. — Lady  Stoddart  and  her  son  paid' 
them  a  visit ;  Captain  and  Mrs  Copeland  also  came  to  see- 
them.  The  Captain  said  there  was  great  probability  of  war,. 
adding  that  the  Franks  had  escaped  from  Constantinople,  and 
that  the  Ambassadors  were  expected  to  leave  immediately. 

Monday,  December  I'jth. — They  visited  every  part  of  the 
Lazaretto,  and  found  the  hospital  clean,  and  in  excellent  order, 
but  untenanted.  They  also  went  to  see  the  English  cemetery, 
where  those  who  die  whilst  in  quarantine  or  on  board  ship  in 
the  harbour  are  buried.  About  a  dozen  graves  are  always  kept 
ready  for  immediate  use.  Describing  the  process  of  fumigating 
letters  and  papers,  which  they  saw  that  day,  Mr  Montefiore 
says  :  "  The  letters  are  opened  and  placed  in  an  iron  closet,  or  on 
an  iron  grid  ;  a  saucepan  containing  burning  bran  and  sulphur  is 
then  placed  on  the  ground  beneath  them,  and  the  closet  is  shut 
I.  D 


50         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

for  fifteen  minutes.     They  are  then  taken    out  again,  and  the 
process  is  complete." 

Tuesday,  December  iSf/i. — Several  vessels  came  into  the 
quarantine  harbour,  and  Mr  Montefiore  had  an  interesting  con- 
versation with  Mr  de  Wimmer,  a  "  Lieutenant  au  Corps  de 
Chasseurs  d'Ordonnance  de  S.M.  1'Empereur  de  toutes  les 
Russies,"  who  had  been  with  the  Emperor  Alexander  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  They  also  received  a  letter  from  Monsieur 
Peynado  Correa,  informing  them  that  the  Governor  had  confirmed 
the  constitution  given  to  the  Jews  by  Sir  Thomas  Maitland. 

Wednesday,  December  igth. — A  ship  arrived  from  Con- 
stantinople, having  performed  the  jourriey  in  twelve  days.  It 
brought  the  news  that  the  Ambassadors  had  left  the  same  day, 
and  that  all  ships  of  the  Allied  Powers  were  put  under  embargo. 
While  at  dinner  Mr  Montefiore  received  a  polite  note  from  Mr 
Greig,  containing  the  welcome  intelligence  that  they  should 
have  pratique  on  the  next  day.  "  This  indulgence,"  Mr  Monte- 
fiore observes,  "  is  extremely  kind  on  the  part  of  the  Governor, 
.although  we  have  been  very  comfortable,  and  had  not  one  irk- 
.some  hour  during  the  whole  time  we  have  been  confined  in  the 
Lazaretto." 

Thursday,  December  2dth. — They  left  the  Lazaretto. 

Saturday,  December  22nd. — Mr  Montefiore,  accompanied  by 
.'Sir  John   Stoddart,  called  on  Admiral  Codrington.     He  had  a 
very  polite  reception  both  from  the  Admiral  and  Lady  Codring- 
ton.    The  Admiral  said  he  had  been  very  much  interested  in 
the  account  which  Mr  Montefiore  sent  him  of  the  manner  in 
which  the  Pasha  received  the  news  of  the  battle  of  Navarino, 
and  took  much  pains  to  explain  his  motives  for  commencing 
hostilities.     He  said  the  ministers  did  not  seem  aware  of  all  the 
instructions  he  had  received  from  Stratford   Canning.      In  reply 
to  Mr  Montefiore's  enquiry,  the  Admiral  said  that  if  the  Turks 
would   not  listen   to  his  speaking-trumpet,  he  would   have  to 
make  use  of  the  cannon.     He  had  on  several  occasions  made 
signal  for  battle  before  the  2Oth  of  October,  but  his  good  star 
had  attended  him,  and  he  had  been  prevented ;  the  first  time 
by  adverse  winds,  and  on  the  second  occasion  the  French  fleet 
came  up  in   time  to  over-awe  the   Turks,  and  they  returned. 
The   Pasha   had   expressed    his   intention   of    throwing  off  his 
allegiance  to  the  Porte,  and  professed  great  friendship  for  the 


Visit  tJie  Silk  Company  s  Estate.  5 * 

French  Admiral,  commanding  his  son,  Ibrahim  Pasha,  to  follow 
his  directions  ;  he  also  wished  to  write  to  the  English  himself 
afterwards.  Admiral  Codrington  did  not  give  the  Pasha  credit 
for  much  sincerity.  He  then  spoke  about  the  Greek  pirates 
and  Greek  Government,  and  promised  Mr  Montefiore  a  passage 
to  Naples,  after  which  the  latter  took  his  leave. 

Sunday,  December  2$rd. — They  took  a  walk  over  the  Silk 
Company's  estate,  which  they  had  visited  early  in  the  autumn. 
Since  that  time  about  3000  young  trees  had  been  transplanted, 
new  walls  had  been  erected,  ditches  cut,  and  ground  prepared 
for  the  reception  of  French  and  Neapolitan  shrubs.  They  were 
disappointed  to  learn  that  the  sale  of  the  garden  produce 
scarcely  brought  enough  to  cover  the  expense  of  sending  it  to 
market,  fruit  and  vegetables  being  so  plentiful  and  cheap.  The 
orange  trees  were  almost  breaking  down  under  their  load  of 
fruit,  which  scarcely  paid  for  the  gathering.  The  "  nopal "  or 
prickly  pears  have  been  rooted  up,  as  well  as  most  of  the  vines 
and  figs.  A  few  young  nopals  have  been  planted,  and  some 
preparation  made  for  experiments  in  cochineal.  Mr  Montefiore 
writes  :  "  The  ditches  discovered  on  the  south  side  of  the  valley 
have  evidently  been  ancient  tombs.  Those  on  the  hill,  round 
and  near  the  palace,  were  no  doubt  planted  with  trees,  and 
there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  they  may  be  found  running 
in  every  direction  on  the  estate." 

Sir  Edward  Codrington  offered  them  a  convoy  for  the  next 
day,  but  Mr  Montefiore  requested  him  to.  permit  the  Mastiff, 
Captain  Copeland,  to  take  them  to  Naples,  which  request  was 
kindly  granted. 

Sunday,  December  $oth. —  In  the  evening  the  Admiral  sent 
his  Secretary  to  Mr  Montefiore  with  the  letters,  requesting  that 
he  would  deliver  them  personally — one  to  Lord  Burghersh  at 
Florence,  and  another  to  the  Duke  of  Clarence. 

Monday,  December  $ist. — "A  very  tempestuous  day,"  he 
writes  ;  "  the  wind  is  so  high  that  it  is  impossible  for  any  vessel 
to  get  out  of  the  harbour.  We  must  have  patience,  and  wait  a 
little  longer.  I  feel  rather  better,"  he  adds,  "  but  my  neck  still 
continues  troublesome."  This  being  the  last  day  of  the  civil 
year,  a  feeling  of  deep  thankfulness  prompts  him  to  end  his  diary 
with  a  prayer  similar  to  the  one  he  uttered  on  the  conclusion  of 
the  Jewish  year. 


52         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

The  homeward  journey  was  not  marked  by  any  incidents 
which  call  for  special  description.  Wherever  the  travellers 
halted  they  followed  the  daily  itinerary,  which,  once  settled,  was 
never  departed  from,  and  it  was  as  follows  : — First  they  repaired 
to  Synagogue.,  then  they  went  to  the  principal  Jewish  communal 
schools  and  institutions,  and  in  the  course  of  the  afternoon  ex- 
changed visits  with  friends  or  with  those  to  whom  they  had 
letters  of  introduction,  whilst  the  local  sights  were  by  no  means 
forgotten. 

Friday,  January  nf/i,  1828. — The  Mastiff,  having  left  Malta 
on  the  2nd  of  January,  was  towed  into  the  harbour  of  Naples, 
where  they  anchored.  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  proceeded  at 
once  to  the  hotel,  where  they  met  Baron  and  Baroness  Amschel 
Rothschild,  their  handsome  son,  Baron  Charles  Rothschild,  and 
Baroness  Charlotte  Rothschild. 

A  few  days  later  they  visited  Herculaneum  and  Pompeii. 

Wednesday,  January  \6th. — Mrs  Montefiore  dined  at  Baron 
Charles',  but  Mr  Montefiore  was  not  well  enough  to  accompany 
her.  It  was  a  large  dinner  party,  and  the  guests  included  the 
Austrian  Ambassador  with  his  wife,  the  Duke  and  Duchess 
D'Ascoli,  the  Duke  and  Duchess  Theodore,  Sir  Henry  and  Lady 
Lushington,  and  others. 

Thursday,  January  ijtJi. — Mr  Montefiore  was  still  obliged 
to  keep  his  room  the  whole  day.  Captain  Copeland  gave  an 
entertainment  on  board  the  Mastiff  to  Baroness  Charlotte 
Rothschild,  Mrs  Montefiore,  and  Barons  Charles  and  Anselm 
Rothschild,  who  afterwards  dined  with  Mr  Montefiore.  In  the 
evening  Mrs  Montefiore  accompanied  Baroness  Charlotte  to  a 
ball  at  the  Sardinian  Embassy,  to  which  both  she  and  Mr 
Montefiore  had  been  invited  by  the  Marquis  and  Marchioness 
di  S.  Saturius.  Mrs  Montefiore  said  there  were  about  five 
hundred  of  the  nobility  present,  who  had  been  invited  in  honour 
of  the  Princess  Salerno,  a  daughter  of  the  Emperor  of  Austria, 
whom  she  saw  there  enjoying  a  waltz. 

Friday,  January  \%th. — The  Duke  and  Duchess  D'Ascoli 
paid  Mrs  Montefiore  a  long  visit.  The  Duchess  appeared  to 
take  great  interest  in  the  Holy  Land,  making  many  enquiries 
on  subjects  connected  with  Sacred  Scripture.  When  she  had 
obtained  all  the  information  Mrs  Montefiore  could  give  her,  she 
asked  to  see  the  curiosities  which  the  latter  had  brought  with 


At  Rome.  53 

her.  Mrs  Montefiore  produced  the  whole  of  her  collection. 
The  Duchess  seemed  especially  pleased  with  a  shell  engraved 
with  historical  subjects  by  a  Bethlehem  artist.  Mrs  Montefiore 
requested  her  acceptance  of  it,  and  the  Duchess  appeared  much 
gratified. 

Sunday,  January  2Of/i. — Mr  Montefiore  called  on  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  British  Legation,  with  whom  he  left  the  Admiral's 
letter  for  Lord  Burghersh. 

Thursday,  January  2^th. — We  find  them  at  Rome,  visiting 
some  of  the  principal  studios  of  the  sculptors,  Albertus  Thor- 
waldsen,  Canova,  his  successor  Cincinnato  Baruzzi,  and  others. 
At  the  studio  of  Guiseppe  Pacetti  in  the  Via  Sisterno  they 
saw  an  ancient  statue  of  a  negress  with  flowers,  for  which  Mr 
Montefiore  intended  to  make  an  offer. 

Friday,  January  2$th. — They  visited  the  Vatican,  and  all  the 
museums,  galleries,  and  places  of  interest. 

Sunday,  January  2jth.  —  In  the  course  of  the  day  they 
received  a  deputation  from  the  community,  who  informed 
them  that  there  were  in  Rome  3500  of  their  brethren,  of 
whom  the  majority  were  poor,  and  Mr  Montefiore  requested 
their  acceptance  of  his  and  Mrs  Montefiore's  offerings  to  alle- 
viate the  distress.  He  purchased  the  female  figure,  in  black 
marble,  representing  Abundance,  which  he  had  seen  on  the 
previous  Thursday  in  the  Via  Sisterno,  with  the  intention  of 
placing  it  in  the  hall  of  his  house  at  Park  Lane.  The  next  day 
they  left  Rome. 

Friday,  February  1st. — They  reached  Leghorn  safely,  where 
Mr  Montefiore  at  once  offered  up  the  following  prayer : — 

"  Praise  and  most  humble  and  sincere  thanks  to  the  Giver  of 
all  Good,  the  Creator  of  heaven  and  earth,  for  all  His  manifold 
mercies  towards  me,  for  having  preserved  me  from  so  many 
perils  and  brought  me  safe  to  the  city  of  my  birth,  and  in  the 
enjoyment  of  one  of  the  greatest  blessings  Providence  has 
bestowed  on  me,  the  company  of  my  dear  Judith,  the  companion 
and  sharer  of  all  my  danger." 

Saturday,  February  2nd. — They  visited  the  Synagogue.  It 
was  crowded.  The  state  of  Mr  Montefiore's  health  not  being  as 
satisfactory  as  he  could  have  wished,  he  sent  for  a  physician. 

Sunday,  February  $rd. — They  remained  in  the  hotel,  Mr 
Montefiore  not  feeling  well  "  Were  it  not,"  he  writes,  "  for  the 


54          Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore.^ 

extreme  anxiety  I  feel  to  see  my  dear  mother,  I  should,  without 
the  slightest  hesitation,  resolve  upon  remaining  in  Italy  for  six 
months  at  the  Baths  of  Casciana,  about  twenty  miles  from  here. 
I  find  my  complaint  gets  worse  every  day.  God  help  me  ! " 

Monday,  February  ^th. — They  visit  the  schools.  A  deputa- 
tion from  the  Institution  "Or  Tora,"  consisting  of  Messrs  Joseph 
Uzielli,  Abram  Pardo,  Michael  Buznah,  and  Salomoni  Mortara, 
received  them.  "  I  was  much  delighted,"  says  Mr  Montefiore,. 
"  with  the  appearance  and  behaviour  of  the  boys,  who  have  made 
great  progress  in  their  studies.  Most  of  the  seniors,  although 
not  more  than  fourteen,  are  perfect  masters  of  the  Hebrew 
language,  and  can  write  in  the  same  on  any  subject  of  their 
studies  that  may  be  given  them.  They  receive  a  most  liberal 
education,  even  music  and  drawing.  There  are  about  sixty 
boys  ;  some  few  pay  six  francs  a  month.  After  the  portion  of 
the  Pentateuch  is  read  on  Sabbath  in  the  Synagogue,  the  boys 
draw  lots  which  one  should  read  the  portion  from  the  Prophets. 
All  must  therefore  be  well  prepared."  Mr  Montefiore  next 
went  to  a  school  open  to  all  children  of  poor  Jews  who  are  in 
Leghorn.  There  were  about  1 50  boys  present.  They  are  taught 
reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic  on  the  Lancastrian  principle. 
They  then  proceeded  to  the  girls'  schools,  where,  in  addition  to 
the  above  subjects,  children  are  taught  needlework  and  straw- 
plaiting  for  bonnets.  Some  of  the  girls,  not  more  than  eight  or 
nine  years  old,  translated  the  Hebrew  prayers.  Mr  and  Mrs 
Montefiore,  in  token  of  the  satisfaction  they  had  felt  at  the 
inspection  of  the  schools,  left  generous  presents  for  the  pupils. 

They  then  journeyed  through  La  Spezia,  Chiavari,  Genoa, 
Novi,  Turin,  Suza,  Lanslebourg,  Maltaveme,  Sava,  Les  Echelles, 
Lyons,  La  Palisse,  and  Neuville,  in  their  own  carriage,  then  on 
to  Paris  and  Calais,  where  they  arrived  on  Wednesday. 

"  I  am  still,"  Mr  Montefiore  says,  "  very  unwell  indeed.  I 
feel  that  some  disorder  is  making  daily  and  rapid  strides ;  am 
most  anxious  to  reach  home  for  the  benefit  of  rest  and  quiet. 
The  newspapers  appear  very  warlike,  and  I  think  there  can  be 
but  little  doubt  as  to  the  truth  of  their  reports.  I  hope  I  shall 
not  be  induced  to  enter  into  any  large  speculation  ;  never  having 
been  endowed  with  courage  in  my  younger  days,  it  would  now 
be  nothing  less  than  downright  folly.  May  heaven  guard  me 
from  my  friends  as  well  as  from  my  enemies." 


CHAPTER  VII. 
1828-1829. 

ARRIVAL  IN  ENGLAND — ILLNESS  OF  MR  MONTEFIORE — THE 
STRUGGLE  FOR  JEWISH  EMANCIPATION. 

"J^HURSDA  Y.February  2%th.— They  arrived  safely  in  Dover 
harbour,  and  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  some  of  their  near 
relatives  who  had  come  down  to  welcome  them. 

They  proceeded  next  day  to  their  home  in  London,  where 
they  immediately  paid  a  visit  to  Mr  Montefiore's  mother. 

Having  discharged  this  pleasing  duty,  they  repaired  to  the 
Admiralty,  to  leave  the  letters  which  had  been  entrusted  by 
Admiral  Codrington  to  Mr  Montefiore  for  delivery.  They 
reached  their  home  at  five  o'clock,  again  to  enjoy  their  Sabbath, 
a  day  of  hallowed  peace  and  rest,  at  Park  Lane. 

The  following  morning  they  attended  Synagogue  to  offer 
up  prayers  for  their  safe  return,  and  were  received  by  the 
ecclesiastical  authorities  and  representatives  of  the  community 
with  manifestations  of  pleasure  at  their  reappearance  among 
them.  Later  in  the  day  Mr  Montefiore  waited  on  the  Duke  of 
Clarence  to  deliver  into  his  hands  the  letter  from  the  Admiral. 
Mr  Montefiore  returned  much  pleased  with  the  audience  he  had 
had  with  His  Royal  Highness. 

The  great  object  which  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  had  in  view, 
when  setting  out  for  the  Holy  Land,  had  so  far  been  accom- 
plished, that  they  had  made  a  sojourn  of  three  days  in  the  City 
of  Jerusalem,  a  gratification,  however,  which  they  had  been 
permitted  to  enjoy  only  in  return  for  unusually  great  sacrifices. 

Mr  Montefiore  now  placed  himself  under  the  care  of  an 
eminent  physician,  who  for  a  long  time  visited  him  almost  daily. 
As  his  doctor  did  not,  however,  forbid  Mr  Montefiore's  leaving 
the  house  or  following  his  usual  pursuits,  he  went  regularly, 
except  on  the  Sabbath  and  Festivals,  to  the  city,  attending  the 
Boards  of  the  Alliance  Marine  and  Alliance  Life  and  Fire 


56         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montcfiore. 

Offices,  the  Imperial  Continental  Gas  Association,  the  Silk- 
Company,  and  those  of  all  his  various  communal  and  charitable 
institutions.  His  physician  would  often  accompany  him  on  his 
way  to  the  city. 

In  accordance  with  the  injunction  in  Deut.  xxiii.  23,  "That 
which  has  gone  out  of  thy  lips  thou  shalt  keep  and  perform," 
he  endeavoured  to  fulfil  the  promises  he  had  made  in  Egypt, 
Jaffa,  and  Malta.  He  spoke  to  Sir  Robert  Farquhar  in  favour 
of  Mr  Barker's  appointment  as  Consul  General  in  Egypt  in  place 
of  the  late  Mr  Salt.  He  gave  Signor  Damiani's  letter  to  Mr 
George  Canning,  first  Lord  of  the  Treasury  and  Chancellor  of 
the  Exchequer,  soliciting  him  to  appoint  young  Damiana  British 
Consul  at  Jaffa,  in  succession  to  his  father.  Finally,  he  called 
on  Dr  Lee  of  Doctors'  Commons,  leaving  the  manuscript,  "  The 
Story  of  Gaiffa,"  which  the  author  had  requested  him,  when  at 
Malta,  to  take  there. 

He  had  the  satisfaction  of  hearing  afterwards  that  his  friendly 
intercession  on  behalf  of  the  applicants  had  been  partially 
successful. 

He  was  now  called  upon  to  fulfil  a  promise  of  a  mournful 
nature,  which,  previously  to  his  setting  out  for  the  Holy  Land, 
he  Jiad  made  at  the  request  of  the  Ecclesiastical  Chief  of  his 
community. 

I9//Z  Sivan  5588  A.M. — "It  was  Sunday  morning,  the  ist  of 
June  1828,  when  the  Rev.  Hazan  de  Sola  informed  me  that  it 
had  pleased  heaven  to  call  to  eternal  glory  our  most  worthy 
Haham  Meldola,  this  morning  suddenly,  and  that  he  had 
appointed  me  his  executor  conjointly  with  two  other  gentle- 
men. 

"  Tuesday  has  been  a  very  fatiguing  day.  At  half-past  eight 
I  was  at  Mansell  Street  attending  as  Lavador.  I  took  care  to 
see  that  all  the  Rev.  Haham's  requests  were  strictly  complied 
with.  At  twelve  the  funeral  cortege  proceeded  to  Bevis  Marks. 
The  Rev.  Dr  Hirschel  preached  an  excellent  discourse  over  the 
coffin  at  the  old  burial  ground.  The  body  was  carried  by  all 
the  representatives  of  the  congregation.  I  assisted  in  lowering 
it  into  the  grave.  I  subsequently  returned  to  the  house  of  the 
mourners,  there  joining  the  assembly  at  vesper  prayers.  It  was 
seven  o'clock  when  I  left." 

Mr  Montefiore  frequently  called  at  the  house  of  the  bereaved 


His  Exertions  on  behalf  of  Education.  57 

relatives,  conveying  to  them  his  sympathy  and  making  friendly 
offers  of  his  services. 

Always  feeling  an  interest  in  objects  connected  with  the  Holy 
Land,  he  went  to  look  at  the  drawings  and  sketches  made 
by  Mr  Thomas  Wyse,  jun.  (son-in-law  of  Lucien  Bonaparte), 
during  his  stay  in  that  part  of  the  world.  Some  of  them  he 
found  beautiful  and  faithful  representations  of  views  in  and 
about  Jerusalem.  But  what  engages  his  mind  most  now  is  the 
desirability  of  procuring  the  necessary  means  for  the  support  of 
educational  institutions  in  the  Holy  Land. 

The  spread  of  education  and  the  establishment  of  schools 
and  colleges  have  justly  been  regarded  by  all  enlightened  nations 
as  a  barometer  of  civilisation,  a  sign  of  the  pulsation  of  life  in 
the  heart  of  a  people,  and  the  gladdening  light  and  comforting 
joy  for  both  rich  and  poor.  But  all  who  are  acquainted  with 
the  history  of  the  Jews,  both  ancient  and  modern,  will  readily 
admit  that  no  other  nation  or  class  of  people  have  ever  shown 
their  appreciation  of  it  under  more  unfavourable  circumstances 
and  at  a  greater  sacrifice.  They  never  relaxed  their  exertions 
to  benefit  by  education,  notwithstanding  the  numerous  and 
painful  checks  from  which  their  progress  has  often  suffered. 
As  the  grain  of  seed  under  the  rough  and  stony  surface,  trodden 
down  by  the  heavy  steps  of  the  wanderer,  only  after  turning  and 
twisting  in  many  directions,  finally  sends  forth  its  tender  blade 
into  the  pure  atmosphere  and  reviving  light  of  the  sun,  so  the 
seed  of  intellect  in  the  brain  of  the  Jew  had  to  pass  through 
many  trials  and  troubles  before  its  first  shoot  was  permitted 
to  show  itself  and  to  thrive  in  the  beneficent  rays  of  liberty. 

An  opportunity  presented  itself  to  Mr  Montefiore  to  assist 
the  good  cause  of  education  by  the  arrival  of  a  special  messenger 
from  Jerusalem,  sent  to  draw  his  attention  to  an  important  case 
referring  to  a  legacy  bequeathed  to  a  theological  college  in  the 
Holy  City. 

This  messenger,  the  Rev.  A.  J.,  who  was  a  member  of  the 
college  in  question  belonging  to  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese 
community  in  Jerusalem,  said  that  he  was  sent  by  the  repre- 
sentatives of  that  institution  to  make  their  case  known  to  the 
head  of  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  community  in  London,  and 
to  receive  ^"2600  consols  from  a  certain  person.  The  interest  of 
that  stock  having  been  bequeathed  to  the  said  college  by  two 


58         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

friends  of  Zion  residing  in  England,  the  representatives  should 
have  received  the  same  in  regular  remittances.  The  person 
mentioned,  however,  being  the  only  surviving  trustee,  had  sold 
the  stock,  and  had  for  some  years  discontinued  the  remittance 
of  dividends.  Mr  Montefiore  gave  the  messenger  a  most  polite 
and  friendly  reception,  and  called  on  two  gentlemen  who,  he 
knew,  would  take  an  interest  in  the  case,  asking  them  to 
associate  themselves  with  him  in  furtherance  of  the  above 
object. 

A  few  days  later  he  gave  an  entertainment  at  Park  Lane, 
inviting  most  of  the  leading  and  influential  members  of  the 
community  to  meet  the  messenger  from  Jerusalem,  who,  it  was 
here  suggested,  should  be  asked  to  deliver  a  discourse  in  the 
Portuguese  Synagogue.  The  Rev.  A.  J.  consented  to  do  so,  and 
gave  an  interesting  address  to  the  community  in  pure  Biblical 
Hebrew. 

'  Mr  Montefiore  went  with  his  friends  to  the  solicitor  to  hear  the 
trustee's  answer  to  the  Bill  filed  in  Chancery,  and  he  promised 
to  give  them  his  opinion  on  the  subject  in  a  few  days. 

Whilst  awaiting  the  solicitor's  opinion,  the  Rev.  A.  J.  was 
taken  seriously  ill,  and  was  received  into  the  hospital  of  the 
Spanish  and  Portuguese  community,  where  at  Mr  Montefiore's 
expense  he  was  visited  by  the  most  eminent  physicians.  Even- 
tually he  recovered. 

Ten  days  later  the  Rev.  A.  J.  sent  for  J.  M.  B.,  a  particular 
friend  of  the  trustee,  to  whom  he  made  the  following  proposition: 
— "  That  the  trustee  should  pay  him  (the  Rev.  A.  J.)  his  ex- 
penses and  all  law  charges,  and  also  ,£500  down,  the  balance  to 
be  invested  in  the  names  of  trustees,  and  the  present  trustee  to- 
enjoy  the  interest  during  his  lifetime,  the  capital  at  his  decease 
reverting  to  Jerusalem."  J.  M.  B.  promised  to  communicate  the 
offer  to  his  friend.  The  solicitor  informed  Mr  Montefiore  that 
this  gentleman's  attorney  had  returned  to  England,  and  would 
lose  no  time  in  giving  an  answer  to  the  messenger's  Amendment 
Bill  in  the  Court  of  Chancery.  Some  time  afterwards  Mr 
Montefiore  met  by  appointment  with  two  other  friends  at  the 
house  of  the  messenger,  leaving  him  the  power  of  attorney,  to 
act  for  the  recovery  of  the  funds. 

Three  months  later,  however,  he  and  two  friends  had  to 
undertake  the  very  unpleasant  task  of  informing  the  rev.  gentle- 


Struggle  for  Jewish  Emancipation.  59 

man  that,  in  their  opinion,  he  would  not  be  able  to  obtain  any 
money  from  the  trustee,  and  a  sum  of  money  had  to  be  given 
him  to  enable  him  to  return  to  Jerusalem. 

With  a  sorrowful  heart  at  the  result  of  his  mission  he  left 
England.  "But  never,"  he  writes  in  a  letter  addressed  to  Mr 
Montefiore  from  Jerusalem,  "  will  the  recollection  of  the  great 
kindness,  sympathy,  and  attention  which  I  have  met  from  your- 
self and  my  many  friends  be  effaced  from  my  memory." 

This  misappropriation  of  trust  funds  intended  for  poor 
students  in  the  Holy  City  roused  the  utmost  indignation  in  the 
community.  It  was  deemed  a  sacrilege,  and  the  strongest  terms 
of  reprobatio'n  were  expressed  against  the  individual  who  had 
thus  outraged  the  feelings  of  humanity. 

"  There  can  be  no  doubt,"  said  Mr  Montefiore  many  years 
later,  speaking  on  the  same  subject,  "that  trusts  connected  with 
charitable  or  strictly  religious  institutions  are  more  liable  than 
others  to  be,  if  not  strictly  speaking  misappropriated,  at  least 
misdirected,  though  it  may  probably  be  unintentional,  more 
especially  when  the  religious  views  of  the  trustees  differ  from 
those  of  the  testator.  The  trust  in  this  particular  instance  being 
connected  with  the  study  of  a  language  held  in  esteem  by  all 
religious  denominations,  the  act  becomes  much  aggravated,  nayr 
unpardonable." 

The  fervent  attachment  which  Mr  Montefiore  evinced  to  the 
Holy  Land  did  not  in  any  way  interfere  with  his  devotion  to 
England. 

I  have  already  pointed  out  to  the  reader  the  great  zeal  which 
he  manifested  for  the  defence  of  his  country  when  serving  as  a 
volunteer,  and  on  all  occasions  he  continued  to  declare  that  he 
was  ever  ready  to  fulfil  his  duties  by  going  on  active  service. 

In  common  with  his  brethren  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  he 
felt  it  most  painfully  that,  in  a  country  like  England,  where  so 
many  well-meaning  citizens  evinced  their  sympathy  with  the 
sufferers  from  oppression,  he  as  a  Jew  should  still  be  debarred 
from  many  of  those  rights  and  privileges  to  which  every  loyal 
subject  is  fully  entitled. 

The  sacrifices  which  the  Jews  all  over  Europe  had  made 
during  the  war  of  1815,  by  shedding  their  blood  in  defence  of 
the  country  in  which  they  lived,  and  by  their  liberal  contributions 
to  the  funds  for  the  relief  of  the  wounded,  and  the  support  of 


60         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

the  soldiers'  widows  and  orphans,  had  been  acknowledged  and 
appreciated. 

In  Holland  and  France  the  Jews  were  fully  emancipated, 
filling  high  municipal  offices  in  their  respective  districts,  whereas 
in  England  the  Jews  who,  since  the  year  1753,  when  the  Ministry 
was  compelled  to  withdraw  the  Naturalisation  Act,  after  it  had 
passed  the  House  of  Lords,  had  been  in  Vain  endeavouring  to 
secure  their  civil  rights,  thought  that  the  time  had  now  arrived 
when  they  might  hope  to  be  more  successful  in  the  just  demands 
they  made  upon  an  enlightened  assembly  of  legislators  in  both 
Houses  of  Parliament. 

On  June  26th  Mr  Montefiore  went  with  Mr  I.  L.  Goldsmid 
to  the  Duke  of  Norfolk  to  meet  various  committees  of  Dissenters 
and  Catholics,  for  the  purpose  of  consulting  as  to  the  best  mode 
of  obtaining  privileges  for  the  Jews.  They  there  met  Messrs 
Blount,  C.  Butler  (Catholics),  Foa,  Bowany,  and  Aspenhill  (Dis- 
senters), and  interchanged  views  on  the  subject  of  obtaining 
relief  from  all  religious  disabilities.  Similar  meetings  were  held 
in  other  localities  which  were  attended  by  several  members  of 
the  community,  the  result  being,  as  is  well  known,  the  repeal  of 
the  Test  and  Corporation  Act. 

Greatly  encouraged  by  the  result  of  these  meetings,  Mr 
Montefiore,  conjointly  with  Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild,  Mr  I.  L.  Gold- 
smid, and  others,  pursued  with  great  energy  the  object  in  view. 

In  the  month  of  August,  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  set  out  for 
a  little  excursion  to  Exeter,  Bath,  and  other  places,  for  the 
purpose  of  giving  Mr  Montefiore  a  short  respite  from  the  fatigue 
entailed  upon  him  by  his  onerous  duties. 

We  find  them  again  at  Park  Lane  about  the  end  of  that 
month. 

The  diary  of  1829  continues  to  record  the  great  exertions 
made  by  Mr  Montefiore  and  other  members  of  his  community 
to  attain  their  civil  rights.  He  attends  besides  to  all  his  various 
duties,  and  has  headed  the  volume  by  the  three  following  lessons 
for  his  own  guidance  : — 

"  Be  content  with  what  God  has  allotted  you,  and  you  are 
rich."  "To  learn,  listen.  To  be  safe,  be  silent."  "No  man 
can  be  happy  who  does  not  devote  at  least  five  or  six  hours 
daily  to  some  useful  employment." 

On  Sunday,  22nd  February,  he  writes:  "  Mr  Isaac  L.  Goldsmid 


Struggle  for  Jewish  Emancipation.  61 

paid  me  a  long  visit,  consulting  as  to  the  best  mode  of  procuring 
general  toleration  for  the  Jews.  Judith  and  self  took  a  ride  to 
see  Hannah  Rothschild  and  her  husband.  We  had  a  long  conver- 
sation on  the  subject  of  liberty  for  the  Jews.  He  said  he  would 
shortly  go  to  the  Lord  Chancellor  and  consult  him  on  the  matter. 
Hannah  said  if  he  did  not,  she  would. 

"  The  spirit  manifested  here  by  Mrs  Rothschild,  and  the  brief 
but  impressive  language  she  used,  reminded  me  most  strikingly 
of  her  sister,  Mrs  Montefiore." 

Mr  Montefiore  called  the  next  day  on  Mr  I.  L.  Goldsmid 
and  Mr  Moses  Mocatta,  and  conversed  with  them  on  the  present 
state  of  the  Jews. 

Subsequently  he  went  with  Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild  to  Sir 
James  Mackintosh,  to  request  him  to  bring  a  Bill  into  Parliament 
to  allow  aliens  (Jews)  to  hold  freehold  land  and  to  vote  for 
members  of  Parliament. 

In  the  cause  of  emancipation  friendly  dinners  and  entertain- 
ments were  occasionally  given  for  the  purpose  of  affording  friends 
of  religious  and  civil  liberty  an  opportunity  of  exchanging  their 
views  on  the  subject.  To  many  of  these,  given  by  N.  M.  Roths- 
child at  Piccadilly,  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  were  invited.  At 
one  of  them  they  met  the  Duke  and  Duchess  of  St  Albans,  Lady 
Louisa  Beauclerk,  the  Hon.  Shaw  Stewart,  Lord  and  Lady 
Kinnwell,  Sir  William  and  Lady  Rowly,  the  Spanish  Ambas- 
sador and  his  wife,  the  Brazilian  Ambassador,  Sir  Charles 
Beresford,  Sir  William  Abdy,  Mr  George  Harrison,  Mr  Kelly 
Addenston.  "  Twenty-three,"  says  Mr  Montefiore,  "sat  down  to 
table.  Moschelles  came  in  the  evening,  played  on  the  piano, 
and  accompanied  Miss  Rothschild.  It  was  near  twelve  before 
the  party  broke  up."  Mr  Montefiore  was  highly  gratified  with 
the  result  of  the  conversations  he  had  with  several  influential 
noblemen  on  the  subject  he  had  so  much  at  heart. 

On  a  similar  occasion  at  the  house  of  Mr  John  Pearce,  St 
Swithin's  Lane,  he  met  a  number  of  gentlemen  interested  in  the 
emancipation  of  the  Jews.  He  there  spoke  to  Daniel  O'Connell 
and  his  son,  to  the  O'Gorman  Mahon,  I.  L.  Goldsmid,  young 
Attwood,  Samuel  Gurney  and  his  son,  Powell  Buxton,  Charles 
Pearce,  Pearce  Mahony,  and  Dr  Hume.  O'Connell  and  the 
O'Gorman  were  very  chatty 

On  the  1 7th  of  March,  IVTr  and  Mr:  Montcfiore  called  on  Mr 


62          Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

N.  M.  Rothschild.  They  read  there  the  petition  of  the  Jews  to 
both  Houses  of  Parliament,  prepared  by  Mr  Tooke,  and  "both 
Hannah  and  Rothschild,"  he  observes,  "  approve  of  it" 

On  the  evening  of  the  same  day  he  attended  a  meeting  of 
deputies  from  the  several  London  Synagogues  held  at  the 
Mocattas',  in  Russell  Square.  Mr  Mocatta  was  elected  .Chair- 
man, and  Joseph  Cohen  Honorary  Secretary.  There,  were  also 
present  Dr  Joshua  Van  Oven,  Lyon  Samuel,  Levy  Solomon, 
Hart  Micholls,  David  Brandon,  Moses  Montefiore,  jim.  Mr 
Isaac  Lyon  Goldsmid,  who  had  written  a  letter  to  the  Chairman, 
was  sent  for.  He  came  in  shortly  afterwards,  and  laid  before 
the  meeting  a  statement  of  the  favourable  prospect  of  obtaining 
the  removal  of  the  Jewish  disabilities.  "  It  was  half-past  ten," 
says  Mr  Montefiore,  "  before  we  separated,  first  passing  a  vote  of 
thanks  to  Mr  I.  L.  Goldsmid  and  to  our  Chairman. 

A  few  days  later  Mr  I.  L.  Goldsmid  informed  him  of  what 
had  passed  between  Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild  and  the  Lord  Chan- 
cellor on  Tuesday,  i/th  March.  He  went  to  the  House  of 
Lords  with  Mr  Rothschild.  The  Chancellor  was  very  polite, 
.and  regretted  that  he  had  not  time  that  day  to  go  into  the  busi- 
ness, but  requested  him  to  come  the  following  Wednesday  at 
half-past  four. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

1829. 

LADY  HESTER  STANHOPE — HER  ECCENTRICITIES — PARLIAMENT 
AND  THE  JEWS. 

ON  his  return  to  Park  Lane  from  the  House  of  Lords  he 
found  that  Mr  Pope  (Upper  Marylebone)  had  brought 
letters  from  the  Holy  City  for  him  and  Lord  Stanhope,  the 
purport  of  which  was  to  endeavour  to  recover  a  debt  against 
Lady  Hester  Stanhope,  of  Djouni,  or  "The  Tower  of  Lebanon," 
as  it  is  generally  called,  near  Zidon  in  the  Holy  Land. 

I  had  the  privilege  of  spending  several  very  pleasant  days 
with  Lady  Hester  Stanhope  in  that  Tower.  My  visit  to  her  has 
been  mentioned  in  a  book  entitled  "  The  Memoirs  of  Lady 
Hester  Stanhope,  as  related  by  herself  in  conversation  with  her 
Physician,  &c.,"  pp.  233  and  238. 

I  may  therefore  be  justified  in  expressing  an  opinion  on  the 
merits  of  her  case. 

Lady  Hester  Stanhope,  the  niece  of  Mr  Pitt,  Chancellor  of 
the  Exchequer  in  1782,  undertook  the  self-imposed  and  benevo- 
lent task  of  educating  the  Maronite,  Druze,  and  Mahommedan 
children.  It  was  her  pleasing  endeavour  to  help,  according  to 
her  means,  every  distressed  person  requiring  relief,  to  disseminate 
feelings  of  humanity  among  husbands,  who  in  the  East  treated 
their  wives  like  slaves,  and  even  to  expostulate  with  Emirs  and 
Pachas  if  they  happened  to  disregard  the  laws  of  justice  in  the 
performance  of  their  duties.  She  reprimanded  Abdallah  Pasha 
for  his  cruel  treatment  of  his  household,  and  particularly  for 
having  caused  one  of  his  wives  to  be  brutally  disfigured  for  some 
wrong  which  he  thought  she  had  done  him. 

For  these  her  good  qualities  she  was  held  in  high  regard  by 
all  classes  of  society,  not  only  in  Syria,  but  also  among  all  the 
nomadic  tribes  of  the  desert.  Any  traveller  wishing  to  proceed 
to  Palmyra  unmolested  by  the  marauding  Bedouins  of  the  desert, 


64         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

had  only  to  provide  himself  with  a  tezkeree  (kind  of  passport) 
from  Lady  Hester  Stanhope,  and  he  was  not  only  at  liberty 
to  move  about  safely  in  any  direction  he  pleased,  but  was 
welcomed  with  the  utmost  cordiality  by  every  chief  on  the 
road. 

Lady  Hester  was  very  fond  of  Biblical  studies,  and  of  enter- 
ing into  discussions  on  these  matters,  although  very  few  of  those 
who  visited  her  were  competent  to  guide  her  in  these  studies. 
In  consequence  of  this  she  imbibed  some  strange  notions,  among 
others,  the  belief  that  there  existed  only  three  correct  Bible 
manuscripts  in  the  world  ;  unfortunately  of  the  three  she  believed 
in,  one  is  of  doubtful  authenticity,  and  one  contains  only  the 
New  Testament.  She  was  greatly  astonished  when  I  told  her 
that  many  correct  Bible  manuscripts  exist,  and  on  hearing  my 
description  of  the  celebrated  Farkhi  Bible  manuscript  at  Damas- 
cus, which  has  been  valued  at  ^"1000,  she  became  quite  excited, 
and  declared  her  intention  of  going  as  soon  as  possible  to 
Damascus  to  inspect  this  treasure.  When  conversing  with  her 
on  religious  subjects,  her  ideas  at  first  appeared  peculiar,  but  on 
hearing  the  reasons  she  gave  for  them,  one  could  not  but  appre- 
ciate her  noble  intentions.  She  abhorred  the  idea  of  cruelty  to 
any  dumb  creature.  Having  convinced  herself  that  the  Jewish 
mode  of  slaughtering  animals  for  consumption  is  less  cruel  than 
any  other,  and  that  the  examination  of  the  meat  prescribed  by 
the  Jewish  law  is  most  beneficial  from  a  sanitary  point  of  view,, 
she  adopted  both,  and  kept  for  the  purpose  a  person  at  Djouni, 
competent  to  perform  these  duties  in  her  household. 

One  day  she  invited  me  to  accompany  her  to  her  stables  ; 
here  two  beautiful  horses,  one  grey,  and  the  other  chestnut,  came 
towards  her,  and  laid  their  heads  on  her  shoulder.  She  called 
my  attention  to  the  peculiar  formation  of  their  backs,  which 
showed  a  tendency  to  rise  in  two  places  at  a  slight  distance 
from  each  other,  leaving  room  for  the  rider  to  sit  between  them 
as  in  a  Turkish  saddle.  According  to  the  certificate  she  held 
from  the  person  who  sold  them,  they  were  descended  from  a 
famous  sire  in  a  stud  belonging  to  one  of  the  Kaleefahs.  "  One 
of  these,"  she  said,  "might  well  be  suitable  for  such  a  man 
(referring  to  the  much  hoped  for  emissary  of  peace)  when  enter- 
ing the  city  known  by  the  name  of  the  '  City  of  Peace/  on  his^ 
mission  of  humanity,  and  the  other  for  myself,  when  co-operating 


Exertions  for  Jewish  Emancipation.   .  65 

with  him  in  the  work  of  establishing  tranquillity  and  happiness 
among  the  inhabitants  of  Syria." 

She  complained  of  her  words  being  often  misinterpreted  by 
strangers  who  came  to  visit  her,  hence  her  great  reluctance  to 
admit  travellers  into  her  presence. 

Mr  Montefiore,  Mr  Hope,  and  Lord  Stanhope  would  have 
done  all  in  their  power  to  satisfy  the  party  who  sent  the  letters 
to  England,  as  well  as  to  co-operate  with  Lady  Hester  Stanhope 
in  all  her  benevolent  exertions,  but  it  had  been  suggested  to 
them  to  communicate  first  with  the  Consul  at  Beyrout,  before 
taking  any  decisive  steps  in  the  matter,  and  the  letters  from 
the  Holy  Land  had  to  be  laid  aside  for  a  time. 

Returning  again  to  Mr  Montefiore's  exertions  for  emancipa- 
tion, it  should  be  mentioned  that  he  went  to  a  dinner  given  by 
Mr  I.  L.  Goldsmid  to  meet  Lords  Lansdowne,  Suffield,  and 
Auckland,  the  Dutch  Minister,  the  American  Minister,  Daniel 
O'Connell  and  his  son,  P.  Mahony,  the  O'Gorman  Mahon, 
Thos.  Wyse,  Tooke,  Fowell  Buxton,  &c.  He  spoke  to  all  of 
them  on  the  subject  he  had  so  much  at  heart.  The  O'Gorman 
was  very  sociable  ;  he  wished  to  see  the  Portuguese  Synagogue, 
also  to  have  the-opportunity  of  presenting  the  Jews'  petition  to 
Parliament. 

On  the  ist  of  April,  Mr  Montefiore  accompanied  Mr  N.  M. 
Rothschild  to  the  House  of  Lords.  On  their  entry  they  were 
informed  that  the  Lord  Chancellor  had  just  sent  word  that  he 
would  not  come  down  to  the  House  that  day.  Lowdham  how- 
ever promised  them  to  make  an  appointment  for  the  following 
Monday.  On  his  return  from  the  House  Mr  Montefiore  repaired 
to  the  city,  to  attend  the  anniversary  dinner  of  the  Jews'  Hospi- 
tal at  the  City  of  London  Tavern.  Mr  Bing,  the  Member  for 
Middlesex,  took  the  chair.  J.  Alexander,  T.  A.  Curtis,  and  J.  M. 
Pearce  were  present,  and  made  excellent  speeches  in  favour  of 
civil  and  religious  liberty. 

A  few  days  later  he  went  again  with  Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild 
to  the  House  of  Lords  to  see  Lord  Lyndhurst,  but  it  being  five 
o'clock,  his  Lordship  was  obliged  to  go  into  the  House  immedi- 
ately, promising  however,  to  see  them  on  the  following  Wed- 
nesday. 

They  saw  the  Duke  of  Wellington,  who  said  he  wished  to 
see  Mr  Rothschild  on  Wednesday,  on  his  own  private  affairs. 
I.  E 


66         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore, 

On  the  appointed  day  they  again  went  to  the  House  of 
Lords  to  see  the  Lord  Chancellor.  He  said  they  were  at  the 
time  so  occupied  with  the  Catholic  business,  they  could  attend 
to  nothing  else.  He  advised  them  to  remain  quiet  till  this  was 
settled,  but  if  they  thought  it  more  to  their  own  interest  to  bring 
the  matter  forward  immediately,  to  set  Lord  Holland  to  do  so, 
and  he  would  support  him,  as  he  considered  it  right  that  the 
Jews  should  be  relieved  from  their  present  disabilities  ;  at  the 
same  time  they  must  be  guided  by  public  opinion.  They 
assured  the  Lord  Chancellor  they  would  be  entirely  guided  by 
his  advice,  and  would  do  nothing  for  the  present.  He  said  he 
would  consult  the  Duke  of  Wellington,  and  would  write  to  Mr 
Rothschild  what  had  best  be  done. 

On  leaving  the  House,  Mr  Montefiore  called  on  Mr  I.  L. 
Goldsmid  to  tell  him  what  had  passed. 

The  1 3th  of  April  was  one  of  those  days  which  he  spent  in 
attending  to  his  Companies  and  Associations.     He  then  called 
•on  Messrs  Garry  &  Curtis  to  solicit  a  presentation  to  Christ's 
Hospital  for  Captain  Anderson's  boy.    Attended  the  Irish  Bank, 
-and  in  the  evening  was  present,  together  with  Mrs  Montefiore, 
.at  a  dinner  given  by  Mr  Fairlie  of  York  Terrace.     They  found 
there  "  a  most  splendid  party  and  elegant  entertainment."    They 
:met  Lord  Fife,  Sir  Herbert  and  Lady  Taylor,  Sir  Thomas  Clark, 
:Sir  John    Ogleby,  Mr   Towncan,    Mr   P.  and  his  wife,  Mr  J. 
Pearce,  bank  director,  Colonel  Blackburn  and  his  wife,  Sir  James 
Shaw,  and  Sir  Thomas,  an  Indian  General,  who  had  been  con- 
fined in  irons  for  three  years  and  four  months  at  Seringapatam. 
They  had  the  opportunity  of  hearing  the  opinion  of  most  of  the 
party  on  the  subject  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  and  it  proved 
in  every  case  highly  satisfactory. 

What  occupied  Mr  Montefiore's  mind  this  day  more  than 
other  subjects  was  his  intended  presentation  to  the  King  at  the 
approaching  levee. 

Mr  Edward  Blount  said  he  believed  it  would  be  sufficient  if 
the  Duke  of  Norfolk  merely  sent  his  card  with  Mr  Montefiore's 
to  the  Lord  Chancellor's  office,  but  he  would  enquire  further  of 
the  Duke.  Mr  Montefiore,  however,  differed  from  him,  and  did 
not  wish  to  be  introduced  at  the  levee  in  that  way,  unless  Mr 
Blount  was  so  convinced  of  its  propriety  as  to  be  introduced  in 
the  same  way  with  him. 


Exertions  for  Jewish  Emancipation.  67 

The  next  day  Mr  Blount  showed  him  a  note  he  had  received 
from  Sir  George  Naylor  of  the  Herald's  office,  who  said  that  any 
gentleman  introduced  at  the  levee  by  a  peer  who  has  the 
privilege  of  the  entree,  has  his  name  announced  by  the  Lord-in- 
VVaiting  in  the  usual  manner,  the  peer  standing  at  the  same 
time  near  the  King.  In  this  way  Mr  Blount  was  to  be  intro- 
duced, and  Mr  Montefiore  was  to  accompany  him.  The  Duke 
of  Norfolk,  Mr  Blount  said,  would  send  Mr  Montefiore's  card 
with  his  own  to  the  Lord  Chamberlain's  office. 

There  is  an  incident  of  a  touching  nature  recorded  in  his 
diary  about  this  time.  "On  the  i$th  April  I  called  on  Mrs 
Zaccaria  Laurence  at  Bury  Court,  and  gave  her  the  receipt  for 
the  further  share  of  the  residue  of  the  estate  of  my  much 
respected  grandmother,  Esther  Hannah  Montefiore.  With  grati- 
tude I  recall  to  my  mind  her  words  to  me  on  her  deathbed. 
She  lamented  not  having  left  me  more  in  her  will,  and  added, 
*  God  bless  you,  and  God  will  bless  you.'  Peace  be  to  her 
memory.  O  that  I  may  follow  her  excellent  and  most  exem- 
plary conduct,  and  may  my  deathbed  be  as  happy  as  it  pleased 
Providence  to  make  hers.  Amen." 

.  On  April  1 6th,  accompanied  by  Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild,  he 
attended  a  meeting  of  the  Deputies  at  Mr  M.  Samuels'  house, 
19  Leman  Street.  There  were  present  Messrs  Moses  Mocatta, 
Joseph  Cohen,  Michells,  Van-Oven,  Goodman,  Levy  Salamon, 
David  and  Joseph  Brandon,  Moses  Montefiore,  I.  L.  Goldsmid, 
S.  Samuel,  and  John  M.  Pearce. 

After  a  long  debate  it  was  resolved  that  Pearce  should  pre- 
pare a  petition,  and  that  they  should  then  meet  again.  A  few 
days  later  he  called  with  Mr  Moses  Mocatta  on  Mr  Pearce,  to 
read  and  make  alterations  in  the  proposed  petition  of  the  Jews 
to  Parliament 

The  Feast  of  the  Passover  was  now  approaching.  Those 
who  know  the  distance  from  Park  Lane  to  Bevis  Marks  in  the 
city,  will  appreciate  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore's  zeal  which  led 
them  to  walk  from  their  own  home  in  all  weather  to  the  Spanish 
and  Portuguese  Synagogue  in  Bevis  Marks.  As  they  always 
desired  to  be  in  their  places  even  before  the  prayers  commenced, 
they  were  obliged  to  leave  home  at  a  very  early  hour  of  the 
morning.  After  the  conclusion  of  the  service,  which  lasted  about 
two  hours  and  a  half,  they  breakfasted  with  one  of  the  officers  of 


68         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

the  Synagogue,  and  then  proceeded  to  pay  visits  to  all  their 
friends-  in  the  vicinity.  It  was  often  nearly  four  o'clock  when 
they  again  walked  back  to  Park  Lane,  where  in  the  evening 
they  entertained  the  members  of  their  family  and  several  friends 
at  dinner. 

The  second  day  of  the  Festival  was  passed  in  the  same 
manner.  Few  would  now  willingly  undergo  such  fatigue,  but 
Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore's  religious  fervour  and  warm  attachment 
to  their  friends  would  not  allow  them  to  plead  weariness  as  an 
excuse  either  for  not  joining  their  community  in  the  House  of 
Prayer,  or  for  neglecting  their  friends.  They  continued  this 
practice  until  their  advanced  age  and  uncertain  state  of  health 
no  longer  permitted  it 


CHAPTER  IX. 

- 

1829-1830. 

MR  MONTEFIORE  PRESENTED  TO  THE  KING — SPANISH  AND 
PORTUGUESE  JEWS  IN  LONDON  IN  1829. 

T  IMMEDIATELY  after  the  Passover  Festival  Mr  Montefiore 
-L  was  present  at  an  important  meeting,  convened  by  the 
elders  of  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  congregation,  to  consider 
the  propriety  of  introducing  the  English  language  for  the  delivery 
of  sermons  and  addresses  in  the  synagogues  and  colleges.  The 
debate  was  very  long  and  stormy,  as  many  members  of  the  con- 
gregation were  greatly  attached  to  the  Spanish  tongue,  in  which 
their  ancestors  in  many  cases  had  made  their  names  famous. 
This  is  scarcely  to  be  wondered  at,  when  we  consider  that  the 
Jews  at  one  time  were  highly  esteemed  in  Spain.  From  the 
works  of  Abbot  Bartolocci  de  Cellens,  we  learn  that  they  were 
regarded  among  the  learned  as  scholars,  and  among  financiers 
as  honourable,  intelligent,  and  enterprising  men  ;  and  that  they 
filled  high  offices  in  colleges  and  universities,  as  well  as  in  the 
councils  of  kings  and  assemblies  of  merchants  and  bankers.  We 
must,  therefore,  not  be  surprised  that  they  still  clung  to  that 
language  in  spite  of  the  terrible  persecutions  which  drove  them 
from  the  Spanish  peninsula,  but  which  do  not  seem  to  have 
weakened  the  affection  they  felt  for  their  native  land.  The 
language  of  the  country  must  always  constitute  the  strongest 
bond  of  union  between  that  country  and  its  people,  although 
intelligent  men  emigrating  to  a  land  where  all  are  treated  with 
justice  and  humanity,  must  consider  it  their  first  duty  to  make 
themselves  thoroughly  acquainted  with  its  language.  In  a  land 
where  justice  and  humanity  are  unknown,  however,  or  hidden 
under  the  dark  shadows  of  prejudice,  ignorance,  and  fanaticism; 
where  some  of  the  children  of  the  land  would  scarcely  dare  to 
speak  of  it  as  "  my  fatherland  "  or  "  my  mother  country,"  because 
it  disowns  those  who  would  designate  it  by  these  terms ;  in  such 


;o         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

a  land  the  language  is  often  disliked  by  its  oppressed  children 
themselves,  who  long  for  some  other  country  where  they  may 
learn  to  forget  the  injustice  they  have  encountered  there. 

Yet,  as  it  may  appear,  this  was  not  the  case  with  the  Spanish 
Jews.  Although  the  many  years  of  prosperity  which  they  had 
enjoyed  in  Spain  had  terminated  in  persecutions,  almost  un- 
paralleled in  history  ;  although  thousands  of  them  perished 
under  the  terrible  reign  of  the  Inquisition,  in  the  awful  tortures 
of  the  "  Auto  da  fe,w  and  the  rest  were  finally  banished  in  the 
year  1492,  yet,  as  their  continued  use  of  the  Spanish  language 
seems  to  prove,  they  only  remembered  their  days  of  happiness 
in  that  land.  Even  those  who  settled  in  Turkey,  Morocco, 
Algiers,  Egypt,  Palestine,  Austria,  or  Holland,  still  used  the 
Spanish  language  in  their  prayer-books,  Bibles,  and  codes  of 
communal  laws.  Such  was  also  the  case  with  the  Jews  who 
settled  in  England.  Though  they  had  all  gladly  adopted  the 
language  of  the  land  which  they  had  made  their  home  under  the 
sway  of  a  just  and  enlightened  monarch,  they  still  clung  to  the 
Spanish  tongue  as  that  of  their  fatherland,  and  were  loth  to 
banish  its  use  entirely.  But  in  all  the  schools  and  colleges  in 
England  so  much  time  was  in  those  days  devoted  to  the  various 
branches  of  English  study,  that  little  was  left  for  the  acquirement 
of  what  was  now  to  them  a  foreign  language.  The  rising  Jewish 
generation  was,  therefore,  not  well  acquainted  with  the  language 
into  which  the  prayers  had  been  translated,  and  hence  the  desire 
of  several  members  of  the  community  to  replace  it  by  the  English 
tongue. 

The  struggle  between  the  two  parties — those  advanced  in 
years,  who  naturally  wished  to  adhere  to  the  old  ways,  and  the 
young  and  energetic  members,  who  desired  to  adopt  the  innova- 
tion— proved  long  and  hard.  Finally,  a  resolution  was  carried 
by  eighteen  votes  to  eleven,  "  To  have  all  religious  discourses 
delivered  in  the  synagogues  in  English,  and  also  henceforth  to 
have  all  proclamations  made  in  the  same  tongue." 

The  meeting,  which  opened  its  deliberations  at  II  A.M.,  did 
not  adjourn  until  half-past  four. 

On  Tuesday,  April  28th,  Mr  Montefiore  called  at  the  Lord 
Chamberlain's  office  and  left  his  card,  on  which  he  had  written, 
"  To  be  presented  by  the  Duke  of  Norfolk."  After  communi- 
cating with  Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild,  he  went,  accompanied  by 


Mr  Montefiore  presented  to  the  King.  71 

Messrs  I.  L.  Goldsmid  and  Moses  Mocatta,  to  Mr  Pearce  to 
consider  some  points  in  connection  with  the  petition,  and  sub- 
sequently resolved  to  consult  Lord  Brougham  and  Dr  Lushing- 
ton  on  the  matter.  Later  in  the  day  he  went  with  Mr  N.  M. 
Rothschild  and  I.  L.  Goldsmid  to  see  the  Lord  Chancellor,  who 
recommended  their  presenting  the  petition  either  through  Lord 
Bexley  or  Lord  Holland  ;  he  preferred  the  former,  as  the  latter, 
he  thought,  would  make  some  sensation.  When  presented,  he 
said,  they  would  see  how  it  was  received  ;  if  quietly,  they  could 
immediately  bring  in  a  Bill.  In  the  event  of  its  occasioning  any 
unpleasant  feeling,  they  would  not  attempt  to  advance  farther 
that  session,  more  particularly  as  the  public,  and  even  the  King 
himself,  were  not  yet  reconciled  to  the  measure  in  favour  of  the 
Catholics. 

Mr  Montefiore  and  Mr  Rothschild  afterwards  spoke  with 
Lord  Bexley,  and  explained  their  wishes  to  him.  He  appeared 
to  be  doubtful  of  their  obtaining  all  the  privileges  that  year,  but 
said  he  would  speak  to  the  Chancellor,  and  see  them  again  the 
following  Thursday. 

Mr  Montefiore  dined  that  day  with  Mrs  Rothschild,  at  whose 
house  he  met  several  political  friends,  as  well  as  Mr  I.  L.  Gold- 
smid, who  told  him  that  Lord  Auckland  had  requested  the 
Marquis  of  Lansdowne  to  introduce  him  (Mr  Goldsmid)  at  the 
levee. 

Wednesday,  April  2tyh. — He  gives  the  following  particulars 
of  his  first  presentation  to  the  King  : — 

"At  i  P.M.  Mr  G.  Blount,  with  his  son  and  his  nephew 
Sir  Edward  Blount,  Bart,  came  for  me.  I  accompanied  them  to 
the  levee.  Our  carriage  fell  into  the  rank  about  the  middle  of 
Bond  Street.  It  was  twenty  minutes  past  two  when  we  reached 
St  James'  Palace.  We  entered  the  first  room,  and  gave  a  card 
to  the  page-in-waiting — '  Mr  Montefiore,  presented  by  the  Duke 
of  Norfolk.'  There  appeared  to  be  four  or  five  hundred  persons 
in  the  waiting-room,  mostly  naval  and  military  officers  in  full 
uniform,  also  many  bishops,  clergymen,  and  barristers.  The 
crush  was  most  fatiguing  and  annoying.  It  was  four  o'clock 
when  we  reached  the  second  room.  Here,  as  only  a  few  were 
admitted  at  a  time,  we  were  much  more  at  our  ease.  In  the 
third  room  the  King  was  seated  about  ten  paces  from  the  entrance, 
surrounded  by,  or  rather  having  on  each  side  of  him,  his  grand 


72          Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montrfiore. 

officers.  Six  or  seven  persons  entered  at  a  time ;  those  who  had 
been  introduced  before  merely  gave  their  cards  to  the  lord-in- 
waiting,  made  their  bow,  and  passed  on.  When  I  reached  His 
Majesty,  I  gave  my  card  to  the  lord-in-waiting,  who  was  stand- 
ing on  his  right  hand,  and  who  announced  in  a  distinct  voice, 
'  Mr  Montefiore,  presented  to  your  Majesty  by  the  Duke  of 
Norfolk.'  I  thereupon  bent  my  left  knee  to  the  ground.  The 
King  very  graciously  smiled,  and  held  out  his  right  hand  to  me, 
which  I  kissed.  I  then  rose,  and  made  my  bow,  and  passed  on. 
We  passed  the  King  from  left  to  right,  and  not  as  I  expected 
from  right  to  left.  We  were  only  permitted  to  remain  a  few 
minutes  in  the  audience  room. 

"  Colonel  French  was  standing  a  few  paces  from  his  Majesty, 
on  the  right ;  he  spoke  with  me  in  a  very  friendly  manner.  I 
was  much  pleased  with  the  gracious  reception  I  met  with.  It 
was  twenty-five  minutes  past  four  when  we  left  the  audience 
room.  We  then  had  to  get  through  a  great  crowd  before  we 
could  reach  the  doors  of  the  palace." 

On  the  following  day  Mr  Montefiore,  together  with  Messrs 
Rothschild  and  Goldsmid,  went  to  Lord  Bexley,  and  gave  him 
their  petition  to  read.  He  read  it  over,  and  said  he  would  speak 
to  Lord  Eldon  and  the  Bishops,  and  would  see  them  the  next 
day.  He  recommended  that  Mr  Thomas  Baring  should  bring 
the  Bill  into  the  Commons. 

In  the  course  of  the  afternoon  he  called  at  New  Court,  and 
there  heard  the  report  of  the  Duke  of  Wellington's 'going  out  of 
office,  also  of  the  funding  of  eight  millions  of  Exchequer  bills, 
important  topics  for  consideration  to  the  financiers  of  the  day. 
Mr  Montefiore,  however,  did  not  allow  this  news  to  disturb  his 
peace  of  mind,  for  we  find  him  the  same  evening  accompanying 
his  wife  to  a  grand  fancy  dress  ball  given  by  Mr  Goldsmid  on 
the  occasion  of  the  coming  of  age  of  his  eldest  son. 

On  returning  home  after  the  ball,  a  little  incident  occurred  as 
a  consequence  of  the  rumours  of  a  change  of  Ministry.  Their 
coachman,  considering  himself  somewhat  of  a  politician,  took  the 
opportunity,  while  they  were  at  the  ball,  of  entering  one  of  the 
neighbouring  taverns,  where  the  reported  change  in  the  Ministry 
was  being  discussed  in  a  lively  manner  by  a  large  number  of  his 
friends.  It  appears  that  during  the  excitement  of  the  debate 
he  had  indulged  too  much  in  "  the  cup  that  cheers,"  but,  unfor- 


Mr  Montefiore  in  London.  73 

tunately,  does  inebriate,  although  whether  from  joy  or  grief  at 
the  anticipated  change  does  not  transpire ;  anyhow,  the  result 
was  that  on  attempting  to  drive  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  back 
from  the  ball  he  was  found  totally  incapable  of  guiding  the 
horses,  and,  notwithstanding  the  efforts  made  by  the  footman  to 
•come  to  his  assistance,  they  had  to  leave  the  carriage  before 
arriving  at  their  destination,  and  complete  the  journey  on  foot. 

The  next  morning  Mr  Montefiore  proceeded,  in  company  with 
Messrs  Goldsmid  and  Rothschild,  to  the  House  of  Lords,  where 
they  spoke  to  Lord  Bexley.  He  had  not  yet  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  conversing  with  Lord  Eldon  or  the  Bishops  on  the 
.subject  of  the  Jews'  petition,  but  said  he  would  endeavour  to  do 
.so  before  Tuesday,  on  which  day  he  agreed  to  meet  them  again. 
He  had  conferred  with  the  Chancellor,  who  said  the  Duke  would 
not  make  it  a  government  measure,  but  expressed  himself  in 
favour  of  it. 

The  arrival  of  the  Baroness  Anselm  de  Rothschild  and  her 
brother  Lionel  from  Paris  took  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  to  Picca- 
dilly. But  Mr  Montefiore  allowed  himself  no  relaxation  in  the 
furtherance  of  the  great  cause  he  had  at  heart.  On  Sunday, 
1 3th  of  May,  he  attended  in  the  morning  a  meeting  of  the 
Elders,  which  lasted  from  eleven  o'clock  till  a  quarter  to  five. 
In  the  evening  he  was  present  at  a  meeting  of  the  Deputies  of 
several  Synagogues  at  Mr  Mocatta's  residence  in  Russell  Square, 
where  after  considerable  discussion  the  petition  was  finally 
agreed  to,  arid  was  to  be  signed  the  next  day. 

Mr  Montefiore,  in  his  diary,  gives  a  further  account  of  the 
matter.  "  I  accompanied  Mr  Rothschild,"  he  says,  "  to  the 
House  of  Lords.  Lord  Bexley  had  already  left,  so  we  proceeded 
to  his  own  house.  He  said  he  had  spoken  with  Lord  Eldon 
and  several  of  the  Bishops,  and  ascertained  that  they  had  no 
objection  to  a  Bill  to  omit  the  words,  '  On  the  true  faith  of  a 
Christian,'  introduced  into  the  Dissenters'  Act  last  session. 
What  would  be  its  effect  in  law  he  could  not  state ;  he  would, 
however,  confer  with  Lord  Brougham  and  Dr  Lushington.  He 
suggested  some  slight  alteration  in  the  wording  of  the  petition. 
We  are  to  bring  it  back  to  him  signed  on  Thursday,  and  he  has 
promised  to  present  it.  He  again  recommended  that  Sir  Thos. 
Baring  should  present  it  the  Commons." 

At  the  meeting  ot  the  Deputies  they  at  first  objected  to  the 


74         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

petition  as  altered  by  Lord  Bexley,  but  finally  agreed  to  sign  it 
Mr  Montefiore  then  went,  with  Messrs  Rothschild  and  Goldsmid, 
to  Lord  Bexley  with  the  petition.  The  latter  thought  that  every- 
thing would  be  granted  to  the  Jews  except  seats  in  Parliament. 
Before  he  could  present  it,  he  said,  he  must  confer  once  more 
with  the  Lord  Chancellor  and  the  Duke  of  Wellington.  Lord 
Bexley  further  said,  that  he  would  have  to  see  Dr  Lushington 
the  next  day,  but  as  that  would  be  Saturday,  Mr  Montefiore 
declined  attending.  A  few  days  later  Lord  Bexley  stated  dis- 
tinctly that  the  Duke  of  Wellington  would  decidedly  oppose 
any  application  the  Jews  might  make  this  year  in  Parliament, 
but  would  not  pledge  himself  as  to  next  session.  Dr  Lushing- 
ton and  Lords  Bexley  and  Holland  strongly  advised  a  delay 
till  next  year. 

Mr  Montefiore,  in  his  diary,  gives  some  account  of  a  dinner 
at  which  he  and  Mrs  Montefiore  were  present,  given  by  Mr  N.. 
M.  Rothschild  to  Mr  Mahoney,  in  payment  of  a  wager  which 
he  had  lost  to  that  gentleman,  on  the  subject  of  the  agitation 
for  the  removal  of  the  Jewish  disabilities. 

He  says  :  "The  party  included  many  important  personages. 
Many  of  the  nobility  with  whom  we  conversed  on  the  subject 
expressed  themselves  much  in  favour  of  the  Bill.  The  Lords 
Darnley,  Lauderdale,  and  Glenelg,  Sir  Robert  Farquhar,  and 
Messrs  Spring-Rice,  Jennings,  Otway,  Cave,  and  Horace  Twiss, 
whom  we  met  there,  were  most  zealous  for  the  success  of  the 
cause.  Admiral  Sir  Ed.  Codrington  and  a  Russian  Prince,  who 
were  among  the  guests,  discussed  the  subject  with  great  warmth 
until  a  late  hour." 

It  was  the  month  of  June,  and  Mr  Montefiore  required  relief,, 
even  if  only  for  a  short  time,  from  this  incessant  mental  work, 
accompanied  as  it  often  was  by  the  anxiety  which  falls  to  the 
lot  of  most  prominent  men  in  the  financial  world.  He  there- 
fore gladly  accepted  for  Mrs  Montefiore  and  himself  an  invita- 
tion to  make  a  tour  in  the  Isle  of  Wight  with  the  Baron  and 
Baroness  Anselm  de  Rothschild,  and  Messrs  Nathaniel  and 
Meyer  de  Rothschild. 

The  genial  atmosphere  of  the  island,  and  the  cheerful  con- 
versation of  their  friends  and  relatives,  coupled  with  the  polite 
attention  he  received  from  Sir  John  Campbell,  the  Governor,, 
and  his  officers,  soon  made  Mr  Montefiore  forget  for  a  while 


Spanish  and  Portuguese  Jews  in  London  in  1829.     75 

Banks,  Insurance  Offices,  Stock  Exchanges,  and  Gas  Associa- 
tions, whether  in  England,  France,  or  Germany. 

The  time  for  resuming  his  usual  business  pursuits  now 
arrived,  and  his  own  words  show  how  well  every  hour  of  his  day 
was  employed. 

"ii  A.M.  At  St  James'  Palace  to  thank  Colonel  Boten  for 
the  General  Post  book  he  left  for  me.  11.15.  At  Alliance 
and  Marine.  12.  Attended  Committee  of  Irish  Bank  till  2. 
2.15.  Signed  policies  at  Marine.  Called  on  Mr  Rothschild 
at  New  Court;  solicited  him  to  speak  with  Wertheimer  the 
printer  to  take  N.  N.'s  son  as  apprentice.  2.30.  Attended 
Board  of  Gas  till  nearly  5.  A  special  meeting  of  Directors 
summoned  for  next  Thursday  to  receive  the  report  of  the 
special  committee." 

At  the  close  of  the  year  Mr  Montefiore  was  invited  by  a 
friend  to  go  to  Paris,  to  be  present  at  the  bidding  for  a 
new  French  loan,  but  he  thought  proper  to  decline,  remaining 
firm  in  his  resolution  not  to  further  extend  his  financial 
operations. 

He  deemed  it  important  to  enter  that  year  in  his  diary  a 
kind  of  census  of  the  Spanish  .and  Portuguese  Jews  in  London 
— another  proof  of  the  great  desire  he  felt  to  make  himself 
thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  affairs  of  his  community.  I 
bring  it  under  the  notice  of  the  reader  whom  it  may  interest,  to 
enable  him  to  compare  it  with  the  census  of  that  community  at 
the  present  day. 

Privileged  members  and  their  families,  .  .  About  750 
Unprivileged  members  and  their  families,  .  „  550 
Persons  receiving  relief  from  the  Synagogues,.  „  1200 

Total,        .        .  2500 

In  consequence  of  unsuccessful  speculations  in  connection 
with  political  changes  in  England,  France,  and  Spain,  there  was 
a  general  panic  in  the  financial  world  at  the  beginning  of  1830, 
but  Mr  Montefiore,  by  cautious  foresight  and  firm  resolution, 
had  withstood  all  temptations  and  remained  unaffected  by  it. 

Referring  to  this  panic,  he  says,  on  finding  several  persons 
very  depressed :  "  I  have  a  thousand  times  given  them  my 


76         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

opinion  on  that  subject,  and  can  only  regret  that  they  have  not 
benefited  by  it.  I  am  most  uneasy  and  unhappy  about  them  ; 
God  only  knows  what  the  result  of  this  state  of  things  will  be." 
After  entering  into  further  details,  he  concludes  by  observing, 
"At  all  events  I  stand  relieved  from  reproach,  having  so  re- 
peatedly cautioned  them  against  what  appeared  to  me  a 
desperate  situation." 

There  are  several  entries,  important  as  historical  records, 
concerning  the  steps  taken  in  the  Jewish  emancipation  move- 
ment. On  the  2/th  January  he  consulted  M.  Mocatta  and  I.  L. 
Goldsmid  respecting  the  application  to  Parliament  in  favour  of 
removing  the  disabilities  of  the  Jews. 

On  the  3  ist  January  he  attended  a  meeting  of  the  deputies 
of  the  Synagogues  at  the  house  of  Moses  Mocatta ;  there  were 
twelve  present,  besides  Mr  I.  L.  Goldsmid  and  Mr  Thomas  M. 
Pearce.  They  read  the  opinions  of  Dr  Lushington  and  Mr 
Humphries  on  the  present  state  of  the  civil  disabilities  of  the 
Jews.  It  was  resolved  to  petition  Parliament  for  the  removal  of 
the  said  disabilities,  and  to  request  Messrs  N.  M.  Rothschild, 
I.  L.  Goldsmid,  and  Moses  Montefiore  to  see  the  Duke  of 
Wellington  on  the  subject. 

The  following  day  Mr  Montefiore  received  a  note  from  Mr 
I.  L.  Goldsmid,  requesting  that  he  would  endeavour  to  see  Mr 
N.  M.  Rothschild,  and  persuade  him  to  go  that  day  at  twelve  to 
the  Duke  of  Wellington. 

Accordingly  he  went  out  in  his  carriage  with  the  intention  of 
proceeding  to  Stamford  Hill. 

Mr  Montefiore  here  introduces  a  little  incident  which  may 
perhaps  please  some  of  my  readers,  and  I  give  it  in  his  own 
words — 

"On  reaching  Newington,  I  met  N.  M.  Rothschild  in  his 
carriage.  Lionel  and  Anthony  were  with  him  ;  the  two  latter 
got  into  my  chariot,  and  I  drove  with  the  former  to  Prince 
Esterhazy,  whither  he  was  proceeding  with  the  intention 
of  conferring  with  him  on  the  subject  of  emancipation  in 
Austria. 

"  On  our  arrival  I  remained  for  some  time  with  Anthony  in 
the  prince's  dining-room.  An  elderly  gentleman,  who  had  the 
appearance  of  a  Catholic  priest,  was  taking  his  lunch  there. 
When  he  had  finished  his  repast,  he  moved  to  one  of  the  windows, 


A  Little  Incident.  77 

and  kneeling  down,  continued  in  that  position  for  about  ten 
minutes,  apparently  deeply  engaged  in  his  devotions.  He  then 
rose,  and  bowing  to  us,  left  the  room."  "  I  fear,"  observes  Mr 
Montefiore,  "  that  some  of  my  brethren  would  have  hesitated  to 
have  even  put  their  hats  on  to  say  the  blessing  after  their  meal, 
instead  of  acting  as  this  good  man  did." 


CHAPTER  X. 
18301831. 

INTERVIEW  WITH  THE  DUKE  OF  WELLINGTON  IN  FURTHER- 
ANCE OF  THE  JEWISH  CAUSE — THE  DUKE'S  DILATORY 
TACTICS  —  LAYING  THE  FOUNDATION-STONE  OF  THE 
SYNAGOGUE  AT  HERESON. 

RESUMING  the  thread  of  our  narrative,  we  find  that  Mr  N. 
M.  Rothschild  promised  to  see  the  Duke  of  Wellington. 
On  the  7th  of  February  this  interview  with  the  Duke  took  place. 
Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild,  having  addressed  him  on  financial  subjects 
connected  with  the  affairs  of  Government,  said  to  him,  "  God  has 
given  your  grace  power  to  do  good — I  would  entreat  you  to  do 
something  for  the  Jews,"  to  which  the  Duke  replied,  that  God 
bestowed  benefits  moderately,  but  that  he  would  read  over  the 
petition  that  day,  and  Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild  might  call  any 
morning  for  his  answer.  Mr  Rothschild  then  began  to  speak  of 
Prince  Polignac,  the  minister  of  Charles  X.  (who,  a  few  months 
later,  had  to  fly  from  the  country  with  all  the  other  members  of 
the  ministry,  in  consequence  of  the  conflicts  in  Paris  between 
the  populace  and  the  army),  but  the  Duke  instantly  stopped 
him,  saying  he  did  not  wish  to  know  anything  of  foreign 
politics. 

"The  next  day,"  writes  Mr  Montefiore,  "Charles  Grant 
declined  to  present  the  petition  in  favour  of  the  Jews,  and  Mr 
N.  M.  Rothschild  thought  it  would  be  better  to  defer  calling  on 
the  Duke  for  his  answer,  as  he  was  much  plagued  by  the  un- 
settled state  of  parties  in  the  House  of  Commons.  This  deter- 
mination, however,"  observes  Mr  Montefiore,  "  is  greatly  against 
the  wishes  of  I.  L.  Goldsmid  and  those  whom  he  has  consulted 
on  the  subject." 

February  \2th. — Mr  Montefiore  went  with  Messrs  N.  M. 
Rothschild,  I.  L.  Goldsmid,  and  Lionel  Rothschild  to  the  Duke, 
who  told  them  that  he  would  not  commit  the  Government  on 


The  Emancipation  Movement.  79 

the  question  of  the  Jews,  and  advised  them  to  defer  their  appli- 
cation to  Parliament,  or,  if  they  did  not,  he  said,  it  must  be  at 
their  own  risk,  and  he  would  make  no  promise.  Mr  Montefiore 
thought  the  answer  on  the  whole  favourable,  that  is,  that  the 
Duke  had  no  determined  prejudice  against  the  removal  of  the 
civil  disabilities  of  the  Jews,  but  would,  nevertheless,  take  n6 
active  steps  in  their  favour.  Should  the  Commons  suffer  it  to 
pass  quietly,  Mr  Montefiore  had  no  doubt  the  Duke  would  take 
no  part  against  them. 

The  i  Qth  of  the  same  month  Mr  Montefiore  says :  "Robert 
Grant  gave  notice  last  night  in  the  House  of  Commons  that  he 
would  on  Monday  next  present  a  petition  in  favour  of  the 
Jews."  It  was  accordingly  presented  on  February  22nd.  It 
was  tolerably  well  received,  W.  Ward  and  D.  O'Connell  speaking 
in  its  favour,  Sir  R.  Inglis  against  it. 

A  few  months  later  Mr  Grant  desired  to  be  informed  whether 
the  Jews  insisted  on  obtaining  the  privilege  of  sitting  in  Parlia- 
ment, and  if  they  would  refuse  all  other  privileges  if  this  was 
not  obtained.  It  was  Mr  Montefiore's  opinion  that  they  should 
take  what  they  could  get. 

April  i^th. — Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild  and  his  son  Lionel  came 
to  report  that  they  had  seen  Mr  Merries,  who  informed  them 
that  the  Government  had  determined  to  consult  Dr  Lushington 
and  R.  Grant  on  the  following  morning.  I.  L.  Goldsmid,  they 
said,  had  declared  he  should  prefer  losing  all,  than  to  give  up 
Parliament.  "  I,"  observed  Mr  Montefiore  in  return,  "  decidedly 
differ  with  him  ;  we  should  accept  all  we  can  get." 

Two  days  later  he  writes :  "  I  returned  from  the  House  of 
Commons  delighted  with  the  speeches  of  Robert  Grant,  Mr 
Macaulay,  Sir  James  Mackintosh,  Lord  Morpeth,  and  Mr  W. 
Smith,  in  our  favour.  Sir  Robert  Inglis,  the  Chancellor  of  the 
Exchequer,  and  the  Solicitor-General  (Sugden)  were  against  us. 
The  numbers  were — For,  115;  against,  97,— majority,  18.  We 
called  to  congratulate  N.  M.  Rothschild  and  Hannah  on  the 
result  of  last  night's  debate." 

On  the  2ist,  at  a  dinner  given  by  Mr  I.  L.  Goldsmid,  he  met 
Lord  Holland,  Sir  Robert  Wilson,  A.  J.  Robarts,  -  Tooke, 
John  Abel  Smith,  Macaulay,  Easthope,  Robinson  (the  member 
for  Worcester),  Dr  Lushington,  and  Lord  Nugent,  all  of  them 
most  friendly  to  the  cause. 


So         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

On  a  previous  occasion,  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  house  of 
Mr  Moses  Mocatta,  Mr  Montefiore,  I.  L.  Goldsmid,  D.  Brandon, 
J.  M.  Pearce,  and  others  being  present,  it  was  resolved  to  adver- 
tise that  petitions  to  both  Houses  in  favour  of  the  Jews  were 
lying  for  signature  at  several  places  as  named. 

For  his  own  community,  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese,  and 
for  the  German  Jewish  congregation,  he  worked  with  equal  zeal. 
On  the  1 4th  we  find  him,  together  with  several  other  members 
of  a  Committee  appointed  for  that  purpose,  visiting  the  houses 
of  all  the  Jewish  poor.  "We  were,"  he  says,  "from  soon  after 
10  in  the  morning  till  5  P.M.  about  Petticoat  Lane  and  the 
alleys,  courts,  &c.  We  there  visited  the  rooms  of  about  112 
persons.  To  108  we  gave  cards  to  obtain  relief  from  the 
General  Committee  on  Thursday.  We  witnessed  many  very 
distressing  scenes  :  parents  surrounded  by  children,  frequently 
six  or  seven,  seldom  less  than  two  or  three,  with  little  or  no  fire 
or  food,  and  scarcely  a  rag  to  cover  them ;  without  bed  or 
blanket,  but  merely  a  sack  or  rug  for  the  night,  a  bed  being 
almost  out  of  the  question.  Few  had  more  than  one  room,  how- 
ever large  the  family.  The  rent  was  from  is.  6d.  to  35.  per 
week.  Of  those  who  had  two  rooms,  the  upper  one  was  most 
miserable,  scarcely  an  article  of  furniture.  In  fact,  the  distress 
and  suffering  appeared  so  great,  that  although  we  had  agreed, 
according  to  a  resolution  of  the  General  Committee,  only  to 
give  cards,  we  could  not  refrain  from  giving  what  money  we 
had  in  our  pockets.  We  only  met  with  six  or  eight  cases  of 
sickness,  which  is  really  surprising,  considering  their  destitute 
condition." 

He  attends  a  meeting  ot  the  Elders,  where  he  strongly 
supports  a  resolution  for  the  delivery  of  a  moral  discourse  every 
alternate  Saturday  afternoon  in  the  Synagogue ;  he  is  also- 
present  at  a  meeting  of  the  Society  for  the  cultivation  of  the 
Hebrew  language  and  its  literature,  where  he  offers  encourage- 
ment to  those  who  excel  in  literary  work. 

Mr  Montefiore  seeks  the  society  of  learned  and  distinguished 
men  of  all  classes,  and  is  elected  on  the  3rd  of  July  a  member 
of  the  "  Athenaeum." 

In  the  month  of  July  he  sets  out,  in  company  with  his  wife, 
on  a  tour  through  France,  Holland,  Belgium,  and  Germany. 

In   September   we   find    them   again   in   England,  and   Mr 


First  Visit  to  East  Cliff  Lodge.  81 

Montefiore  is  presented  by  the  Duke  of  Norfolk  to  the  King  at 
the  levee,  "  on  his  return  from  the  Continent." 

It  was  in  this  year  that  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  first  visited 
East  Cliff  Lodge,  which  was  about  to  be  sold  by  auction.  They 
felt  a  great  desire  to  purchase  it,  although  much  out  of  repair. 
After  discussing  with  his  wife  the  probable  price  it  would  fetch, 
he  said,  "  If,  please  God,  I  should  be  the  purchaser,  it  is  my 
intention  to  go  but  seldom  to  London,  and  after  two  or  three 
years  to  reside  entirely  at  Ramsgate.  I  would  build  a  small 
but  handsome  Synagogue,  and  engage  a  good  and  clever  man 
as  reader."  Leaving  the  limit  of  his  offer  with  an  agent  in 
Broadstairs,  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  left  Ramsgate  and  pro- 
ceeded on  a  journey  to  the  Continent. 

Whilst  in  Berlin  they  received  information  that  the  estate 
had  been  bought  by  the  Duchess  of  St  Albans.  "  It  fetched  so 
much  more,"  he  says,  "  than  I  had  anticipated,  that  I  can 
only  regret  it  was  thought  so  valuable."  He,  however,  soon 
recovered  from  his  disappointment,  and  took  a  suite  of  rooms 
for  business  purposes  in  the  new  house  of  the  Alliance  Marine 
Assurance. 

Politics  again  caused  considerable  uneasiness  in  the  financial 
world.  Dr  Hume  informed  Mr  Montefiore  that  the  Duke  of 
Wellington  and  all  the  ministers  had  resigned,  and  that  the 
Duke  would  communicate  the  fact  to  the  Lords  on  that  day  at 
four  o'clock,  the  King  having  accepted  their  resignation.  Mr 
Montefiore,  notwithstanding,  did  not  for  a  moment  cease  in  his 
exertions  on  behalf  of  the  Emancipation,  and  on  November  iSth, 
he  and  Mr  Mocatta  signed  the  Jews'  petition  to  both  Houses,, 
it  being  the  same  petition  as  that  of  last  year. 

Serious  disturbances  having  taken  place,  he  left  London,  at 
the  request  of  his  wife,  without  entering  into  any  speculations, 
and  proceeded  to  Hastings,  where  they  remained  till  the  end  of 
December.  We  find  an  entry  at  the  conclusion  of  his  diary  for 
that  year,  to  the  effect  that  he  had  resolved  to  persuade  a  few  of 
his  friends,  as  well  as  two  gentlemen  well  versed  in  the  Law  of 
Moses  and  Hebrew  and  theological  literature,  to  dine  with 
them  regularly  every  week,  for  the  purpose  of  conversing  on 
those  subjects. 

The  year  1831  (5591-5592  A.M.)  presents  the  reader  with  a 
record  of  events  equally  stirring  and  important  in  their  career. 
I.  F 


82         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte fiore. 

Political,  financial,  or  communal  matters  follow  each  other 
rapidly,  continually  occupying  the  thoughts  of  Mr  and  Mrs 
Montefiore,  until  the  day  when  they  succeeded  in  becoming  the 
owners  of  East  Cliff  Lodge,  the  much  wished  for  estate  in 
Ramsgate,  after  which  they  devoted  for  several  months  the 
greater  portion  of  their  time  to  settling  and  arranging  all 
matters  connected  with  their  new  property. 

Early  in  the  year  is  the  following  entry :  "  The  Irish  Bank  is 
under  considerable  alarm  owing  to  a  letter  published  by  Daniel 
O'Connell,  threatening,  in  the  event  of  the  press  being  assailed, 
to  cause  a  run  on  the  banks,  so  that  in  a  week's  time  there  shall 
not  be  a  single  bank-note  in  circulation." 

This  exciting  entry  is  followed  by  one  referring  to  the  Holy 
Land.  "  The  Rev.  Enoch  Sundel  of  Jerusalem  brought  letters 
of  introduction  to  enable  him  to  proceed  to  the  West  Indies 
and  America,  in  the  interests  of  the  Holy  Land  ;  a  noble  cause, 
which  the  Rev.  Dr  Hirschel,  who  accompanied  him  to  Park 
Lane,  strongly  advocates." 

A  little  later  comes  a  report  that  the  Duke  of  Wellington 
will  be  appointed  Commander-in-Chief ;  the  French  will  have 
•war :  Prince  Esterhazy  said,  "  France  had  offered  to  disarm  if 
ihe  other  Powers  would  do  the  same." 

Mr  Montefiore  then  turns  from  the  apprehensions  of 
•war  abroad  to  enter  into  the  struggle  for  emancipation  at 
Jiome. 

"  Robert  Grant,  Lord  Holland,  the  Lord  Chancellor,  and 
•others  of  the  Administration,"  he  says,  "  all  advise  us  to  put  off 
the  '  Jewish  Relief  Bill '  till  next  session,  the  Ministers  having  so 
much  important  business  now  on  hand.  At  all  events,  Robert 
Grant  is  desirous  of  seeing  the  same  gentlemen  who  were  with 
him  last  year  on  Monday  next."  Mr  Montefiore  then  went  to 
Mr  Mocatta,  who  had  called  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of 
Deputies  for  next  day,  and  proceeded  with  Mr  I.  L.  Goldsmid, 
by  appointment,  to  Dr  Lushington. 

Dr  Lushington  advised  that  the  same  Bill  should  be 
brought  forward  again,  that  the  Jews  should  not  accept  less 
than  all  privileges,  and  that  no  application  for  an  audience 
should  be  made  to  Earl  Grey,  lest  he  should  recommend  defer- 
ring the  measure.  Mr  Montefiore  informed  Dr  Lushington  that 
he  was  sure  the  Deputies,  if  asked,  would  gladly  accept  anything 


Purchase  of  East  Cliff  Lodge.  83 

the  Government  might  offer,  however  short  of  the  repeal  of  all 
their  disabilities.  Lord  Holland,  who  was  afterwards  consulted 
by  Mr  I.  L.  Goldsmid,  concurred  in.  opinion  with  Dr  Lushington. 
Mr  Montefiore  here  observes  that  Mr  I.  L.  Goldsmid  was  greatly 
displeased  with  the  Deputies,  saying  that  he  did  not  care  about 
the  measure,  and  would  establish  a  new  Synagogue  with  the 
assistance  of  the  young  men  ;  he  would  alter  the  present  form  of 
prayer  to  that  in  use  in  the  Synagogue  at  Hamburg. 

Thus  it  often  happens  that  two  parties,  both  with  the  best 
intentions,  will,  according  to  certain  impressions  made  on  their 
minds,  differ  more  or  less  in  their  mode  of  obtaining  an  object 
dear  alike  to  the  hearts  of  both ;  and  unless  some  equally 
zealous,  yet  impartial,  friend  steps  in  to  remove  or  lessen  the 
cause  of  their  dissension,  grave  consequences,  to  the  disadvantage 
of  both,  commonly  follow. 

"  Ireland,"  says  Mr  Montefiore,  "  is  in  a  very  disturbed  state, 
and  the  Continent  ripe  for  war."  Under  these  circumstances  he 
thought  he  could  not  do  better  than  leave  London,  the  seat  of 
financial  struggles,  and  go  to  Ramsgate.  There  he  completed 
the  purchase  of  East  Cliff  Lodge,  with  twenty-four  acres  of  land 
belonging  to  the  estate,  henceforth  his  marine  residence  to  the 
day  of  his  death. 

So  much  interest  being  centred  in  this  spot,  I  give  many 
entries  made  on  the  subject.  "  I  met  John  Gumming  ;  he  signed 
the  conveyance  of  East  Cliff  to  me.  I  paid  him  "  (the  purchase 
money  and  the  value  of  the  furniture),  "after  he  had  executed 
all  the  deeds.  I  also  paid  Messrs  Dawes  and  Chatfield  for  the 
conveyance,  &c.,  ,£124,  43.  4d.  May  the  Almighty  bless  and 
preserve  my  dear  Judith  and  myself  to  enjoy  the  possession  of 
it  for  many  years,  that  we  may  also  have  the  happiness  of  seeing 
our  intended  Synagogue  completed,  and  always  have  a  large 
congregation." 

They  engaged  Mr  A.  D.  Mocatta  as  architect ;  he  submitted 
drawings  for  the  Synagogue,  which  were  at  once  put  into  the 
hands  of  the  builders.  The  architect  estimated  the  cost  for 
erecting  the  Synagogue  at  between  .£1500  and  ;£i6oo,  exclusive 
of  the  interior,  which  was  to  cost  £300  or  ^"400. 

The  work  was  commenced,  and  on  the  29th  of  July  the 
excavations  for  the  foundation  walls  were  complete.  "  Please 
heaven,"  said  Mr  Montefiore  to  his  wife  as  they  walked  round 


84         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

the  adjoining  field,  "to-morrow  night,  after  Sabbath,  we  shall 
have  the  happiness  of  placing  the  two  first  bricks  preparatory  to 
our  laying  the  foundation  stone  on  the  eve  of  the  new  moon  of 
Tamooz,"  5691  A.M.  (pth  August  1831). 

In  accordance  with  this  arrangement,  they  proceeded  to 
Hereson  the  next  evening  at  nine  o'clock,  accompanied  by  Mrs 
Justina  Cohen,  her  daughter  Lucy,  and  Mr  Benjamin  Gomperz. 
On  the  ground  they  were  met  by  Cresford  the  builder,  with  his 
nephew,  also  Grundy  with  his  son,  and  Craven  his  partner. 
Everything  having  been  properly  prepared,  Mr  Montefiore 
covered  the  part  on  which  the  wall  near  the  Holy  Ark  for  the 
reception  of  the  sacred  scrolls  of  the  Pentateuch  was  to  be  built, 
with  Terra  Santa,  which  they  had  brought  with  them  from 
Jerusalem.  Upon  this  Mr  Montefiore,  having  spread  some 
mortar,  fixed  four  bricks.  Mrs  Montefiore,  Mrs  Cohen,  Miss 
Lucy  Cohen,  and  Mr  Gomperz  each  spread  some  Terra  Santa, 
and  fixed  two  bricks,  praying  the  Almighty  to  prosper  the 
undertaking  and  bless  them. 

The  following  is  the  account  given  by  Mr  Montefiore  of  the 
ceremony  of  laying  the  foundation  stone. 

"  Tuesday,  gtk  August. — New  moon  of  Tamooz.  After  read- 
ing my  prayers  and  reciting  the  Psalms  cxiii.  and  cxviii.,  I  called 
at  seven  A.M.  on  David  Mocatta,  the  architect,  and  informed  him 
that  we  should  lay  the  first  stone  at  eight  o'clock.  We  walked 
to  Hereson,  and  with  the  blessing  of  the  Almighty,  we  laid  the 
first  stone  of  a  Holy  Synagogue,  assisted  by  our  dear  and 
honoured  mother,  by  Abby  Gompertz,  her  daughter  Juliana, 
Solomon  and  Sarah  Sebag,  Rebecca  Salomons,  Justina  Cohen, 
and  her  daughter  Lucy,  Louis  Cohen,  Floretta,  his  wife,  and 
their  son  Henry,  Nathaniel  Lindo,  David  Mocatta,  my  dear 
Judith,  and  myself.  The  builders  were  also  present.  After  the 
stone  was  placed,  we  deposited  in  a  hole,  made  in  it  for  that 
purpose,  a  glass  bottle  containing  the  inscription,  signed  by 
myself  and  my  dear  Judith;  a  large  stone  was  then  placed  above 
it,  they  were  then  firmly  riveted  together  with  iron  bolts  and 
boiling  lead.  Louis  Cohen,  Solomon  Sebag,  Rebecca,  and  I 
went  afterwards  into  the  cottage,  and  read  the  Psalms  known 
by  the  Hebrew  name  of  Hallel  (special  praise).  They  all  break- 
fasted with  us  at  the  Albion  Hotel,  where  we  were  joined  by 


Robbed  of  all  he  possessed.  8  5 

Adelaide  Israel,  whose  delicate  state  of  health  would  not  permit 
her  to  witness  the  ceremony." 

Mr  Montefiore  gives  the  following :  "  This  day,  2Oth  August, 
five  and  twenty  years  ago,  in  1806,  J.  E.  D.  robbed  me  of  all  I 
possessed  in  the  world,  and  left  me  deeply  in  debt ;  but  it 
pleased  the  Almighty  in  His  great  mercy  to  enable  me  in  the 
course  of  a  few  years  to  pay  everyone  who  had  been  a  sufferer 
through  me  to  the  full  extent  of  their  loss." 


CHAPTER  XL 
1831-1833. 

LORD  BROUGHAM  AND  THE  JEWS— THE  JEWISH  POOR  IN 
LONDON— MR  MONTEFIORE  HANDS  HIS  BROKER'S  MEDAL 
TO  HIS  BROTHER— DEDICATION  OF  THE  SYNAGOGUE  AT 
HERESON— THE  LORDS  REJECT  THE  JEWISH  DISABILITIES 
BILL. 

ON  his  return  to  London  he  called  on  Mr  Wood  at  the  Earl 
Marshal's  office,  and  paid  him  £32,  i;s.  6d.,  the  fees  on 
the  grant  for  having  the  word  Jerusalem  in  Hebrew  characters 
in  his  crest. 

In  October  1831  his  friends  brought  him  the  account  of  the 
Reform  Bill  having  been  thrown  out  at  its  second  reading  by  the 
Lords — majority,  41.  Mr  Montefiore,  on  hearing  that  Lord- 
Chancellor  Brougham  had  spoken  in  a  very  illiberal  spirit  of  the 
Jews,  observed,  "  So  much  for  Whig  friends."  Still  he  did  not 
despair,  and  entertained  the  belief  that  their  just  cause  would 
ultimately  meet  with  better  success. 

A  month  later  he  attended  an  important  meeting  of  the 
Board  of  Representatives  of  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  Com- 
munity, established  to  watch  over  the  general  sanitary  condition 
of  the  poor  of  the  congregation.  He  generously  contributed  to 
the  funds  to  enable  the  Board  to  purchase  warm  clothing, 
blankets,  &c.,  for  the  poor. 

In  the  same  year  he  completed  the  purchase,  and  took  pos- 
session of,  a  cottage  and  garden  near  the  site  on  which  his 
Synagogue  was  being  erected. 

The  Rev.  Dr  Hirschel  having  submitted  for  his  approval  a 
number  of  circular  letters  addressed  to  the  Hebrew  communities 
in  America,  wherein  he  reminds  them  of  their  duty  to  support 
their  indigent  brethren  in  the  Holy  Land,  Mr  Montefiore 
affixes  his  name  to  each  letter  as  requested  by  the  Chief  Rabbi, 
in  token  of  his  appreciation  of  the  good  cause. 


Admitted  a  Broker  of  the  City  of  London.          87 

Among  the  entries  referring  again  to  financial  matters  is  the 
following  interesting  record  : — 

"  On  the  3ist  of  January  1815  I  was  admitted  a  sworn  broker 
of  the  city  of  London.  This  day,  i6th  May  1831,  I  signed  over 
my  medal  to  my  brother  Horatio,  free ;  it  cost  me  £162$. 
May  heaven  prosper  his  endeavours  with  it." 

On  the  25th  of  the  same  month  he  gave  £100  to  be  handed 
to  the  Lord  Mayor  for  the  transfer  of  the  said  medal. 

Happily  in  our  days  it  is  less  difficult  for  a  Jew  to  become  a 
sworn  broker.  A  gentle  breeze  of  justice  for  all  human  beings 
alike  has  begun  to  disperse  the  dark  clouds  of  prejudice  and 
oppression,  and  the  more  the  light  of  wisdom  and  truth  illumines 
the  world,  the  greater  will  be  the  happiness  and  loyalty  of  those 
who  have  hitherto  been  deprived  of  the  rights  of  ordinary 
citizens. 

On  Wednesday  evening,  the  2yth  of  June  1832  (5592-3  A.M.), 
corresponding  this  year  to  the  Hebrew  date  of  the  anniversary 
of  their  wedding  day,  they  took  possession  of  East  Cliff  Lodge, 
Mr  Montefiore  having,  in  accordance  with  an  injunction  of  the 
Sacred  Scriptures  (Deuteronomy  vi.  9),  previously  affixed 
mezuzas  (phylacteries)  to  all  the  doors. 

Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  had  intended  to  have  an  inscription 
placed  over  the  entrance  to  the  Synagogue.  It  appears,  how- 
ever, that  the  idea  was  finally  abandoned,  though  there  is  a 
square  moulding  over  the  door,  and  a  parallelogram  on  the 
northern  wall  of  the  Synagogue  purposely  made  for  it.  I  once 
asked  him  the  reason  of  this  omission,  and  from  his  reply  I 
gathered  that  he  did  not  wish  the  building  to  unduly  attract  the 
attention  of  strangers.  The  modest  appearance  of  the  Synagogue 
as  it  now  stands,  having  neither  steeple  nor  turret,  windows 
in  the  walls  nor  arches  over  the  door,  evidently  confirms  this 
idea. 

Mr  H.  Lehren,  of  Amsterdam,  a  gentleman  well  known  for 
the  interest  he  took  in  promoting  the  welfare  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Jerusalem,  had  appealed  to  him  this  year  for  his  intercession 
in  a  lawsuit  which  brought  him  to  England,  and  Mr  Montefiore 
gladly  helped  him  by  his  personal  exertions  to  accomplish  his 
object.  Mr  Lehren,  thus  encouraged,  asked  of  Mr  Montefiore 
yet  another  favour,  which  was  to  permit  his  name  to  be  enlisted 
in  the  ranks  of  the  "Friends  of  Zion."  Mr  Montefiore,  in 


88         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

answer,  assured  Mr  Lehren  that  his  heart  had  ever  been  filled 
with  a  love  for  Jerusalem,  and  that  he  had  been  a  staunch 
supporter  of  a  resolution,  recently  adopted  at  a  Committee 
consisting  of  members  of  his  congregation,  to  the  effect  that 
£60  should  be  sent  annually  to  the  Holy  Land  as  a  contribu- 
tion to  the  fund  intended  for  the  support  of  the  poor.  Mr 
Lehren  expressed  great  satisfaction  at  what  he  had  heard,  and 
enquired  in  what  proportion  the  above  amount  would  be  dis- 
tributed among  the  four  Holy  Cities.  Mr  Montefiore  informed 
him  that  the  Committee  had  divided  the  sum  into  thirty  shares, 
of  which  they  gave  twelve  to  Jerusalem,  seven  to  Safed,  six  to 
Hebron,  and  five  to  Tiberias. 

To  complete  the  number  of  Sacred  Scrolls  which  Mr  Monte- 
fiore wished  to  deposit  in  his  Synagogue,  he  made  a  purchase  of 
one  particularly  recommended  to  him,  and  also  procured  prayer- 
books  for  the  members  of  the  congregation. 

In  this  year,  1833,  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  had  the  happiness 
of  seeing  their  heartfelt  wish  realised  in  the  completion  of  the 
Synagogue  at  Hereson. 

Invitations  were  sent  out  on  the  23rd  of  May  to  the  eccle- 
siastical chiefs  of  both  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  and  the 
German  congregations  ;  to  the  readers,  wardens,  and  other 
" tficers  of  the  Synagogue ;  to  presidents  and  representatives 
ol  ail  important  institutions,  and  to  more  than  two  hundred 
private  friends  and  acquaintances,  requesting  the  honour  of  their 
company  at  the  dedication  of  the  Synagogue  at  Ramsgate  on 
Sunday,  the  i6th  of  June,  at  5  o'clock,  and  at  dinner  after  the 
ceremony  at  East  Cliff  Lodge.  Bands  of  music  and  first-class 
singers  were  engaged,  4000  lamps  for  the  illumination  of  the 
gardens  were  ordered,  fireworks  and  balloons  tastefully  prepared, 
and  a  large  temporary  room  erected,  occupying  the  whole  quad- 
rangle of  the  court  at  East  Cliff  Lodge.  Handsome  chandeliers 
and  large  tablets  beautifully  inscribed  with  the  prayer  for  the 
Royal  Family  were  ordered  for  the  Synagogue. 

The  morning  of  the  i6th  was  ushered  in  by  a  deluge  of  rain 
and  a  heavy  gale  of  wind,  much  to  the  mortification  of  the 
visitors.  Mr  Montefiore  and  his  brother  Horatio,  who  had 
brought  a  silver  cup  and  spice-box  as  a  present  for  the  Syna- 
gogue, went  together  to  Ramsgate,  and  engaged  all  the  sedan 
chairs  in  the  town  to  take  the  ladies  from  the  public  road  to  the 


Dedication  of  the  Synagogue  at  Hereson.  89 

Synagogue,  and  ordered  several  loads  of  sand  to  cover  the  walk. 
About  two  o'clock  the  Rev.  Dr  Hirschel  arrived.  The  rain  was 
actually  falling  in  torrents  at  the  moment,  but  he  consoled  Mr 
and  Mrs  Montefiore,  saying,  "All  things  must  not  go  as  we 
wish,  since  the  destruction  of  the  Temple  in  Jerusalem."  He 
had,  however,  scarcely  been  in  the  house  ten  minutes  when  the 
clouds  dispersed  and  the  sun  appeared.  At  ten  o'clock,  when 
they  had  a  rehearsal  in  the  Synagogue,  all  were  much  out 
of  spirits  at  the  deplorable  appearance  of  the  weather;  but 
by  three  the  rain  had  ceased,  and  the  evening  proved  delightful. 
The  dedication  commenced  at  six  o'clock.  The  founder 
and  his  friends  brought  the  Sacred  Scrolls  of  the  Law  to  the  door 
of  the  Synagogue,  where,  standing,  they  chanted  :  "  Open  unto 
us  the  gates  of  righteousness,  we  will  enter  them  and  praise  the 
Lord."  "  This  is  the  gate  of  the  Lord,  the  righteous  shall  enter 
therein."  The  doors  being  then  opened,  they  said  on  entering : 
4t  How  goodly  are  thy  tents,  O  Jacob !  thy  tabernacle,  O  Israel ! 
O  Lord,  I  have  ever  loved  the  habitation  of  Thy  house  and  the 
dwelling-place  of  Thy  glory.  We  will  come  unto  Thy  Taber- 
nacle and  worship  at  Thy  footstool."  They  then  advanced,  and 
the  readers  and  choristers  sang,  "  Blessed  be  he  who  cometh 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord  :  we  will  bless  ye  from  the  House  of 
the  Lord,"  and  other  verses  from  the  Sacred  Scriptures  bearing 
on  the  same  subject. 

The  procession  then  went  round  the  almember  in  the  Syna- 
gogue seven  times,  during  each  circuit  one  of  the  seven  Psalms 
— xclxi.,  xxx.,  xxiv.,  Ixxxiv.,  cxxii.,  cxxx.,  c. — being  chanted, 
after  which  Mr  Montefiore  ascended  the  pulpit  and  offered  up  a 
Hebrew  prayer,  of  which  the  following  is  a  translation : — 

"  Almighty  God !  whose  eyes  are  upon  all  the  ways  of  the 
sons  of  men,  and  by  whose  will  their  paths  are  established ; 
wherewith  shall  I  come  before  Thee,  how  shall  I  acknowledge 
the  kindness  Thou  hast  shown  me  from  my  youth  ?  How  great 
the  goodness  Thou  hast  vouchsafed  unto  me,  in  granting  the 
fulfilment  of  the  ardent  desire  Thou  didst  awaken  in  my  heart 
and  in  that  of  the  companion  of  my  life,  to  visit  the  inheritance 
of  our  forefathers,  to  traverse  the  sea  and  behold  the  Holy 
Land,  a  land  which  is  under  Thy  special  providence.  Thou 
hast  protected  us  on  our  departure  and  aided  our  return  :  our 
steps  tailed  not,  we  have  passed  through  the  Land,  our  feet  have 


90         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montejiore. 

stood  within  thy  gates,  O  Jerusalem  !  From  the  sight  of  our 
own  eyes  are  we  conscious  of  the  refulgent  light  that  once  shone 
brightly  on  our  country,  and  which  yet  faintly  glimmers,  though 
she  has  become  desolate.  Thou  hast  inspired  us  with  a  contrite 
spirit  to  perceive  and  declare  Thy  Almighty  power  over  all  the 
inhabitants  of  the  world,  therefore  has  Thy  servant  found  in  his 
heart  to  offer  this  public  thanksgiving  for  Thy  past  bounties, 
and  earnestly  to  implore  Thy  future  protection  in  this  humble 
sanctuary.  Out  of  Thine  own  gifts  I  dedicated  it  to  Thee  as  a 
freewill  offering  and  a  lasting  testimony  to  show  forth  Thy 
loving-kindness  in  the  morning  and  Thy  faithfulness  every 
night.  O  Lord  God  of  Israel !  incline  Thine  ear  to  the  prayer 
of  Thy  servant.  Bless,  I  beseech  Thee,  my  revered  and  hon- 
oured mother,  grant  her  length  of  days  in  the  fulness  of  joy,  and 
happiness  with  me,  my  beloved  wife,  my  brothers  and  sisters, 
and  with  all  their  descendants,  even  unto  the  third  and  fourth 
generation.  Strengthen  our  hearts  to  observe  Thy  precepts  at 
all  times.  Truly  nothing  has  failed  of  that  of  which  Thou  hast 
forewarned  us  through  Moses  Thy  servant,  for  we  have  broken 
Thy  covenant  and  not  observed  Thy  Commandments  ;  so  are 
we  surely  convinced  that  we  shall  receive  from  Thee  the  pro- 
mised good,  and  our  days  will  be  renewed  as  of  old  ;  Thou  wilt 
fulfil  Thy  words  unto  Ezekiel  Thy  prophet,  that  'The  nations  shall 
know  that  I  the  Lord  rebuild  the  ruined  places  and  plant  that 
which  was  desolate ;  I  the  Lord  have  spoken  it ;  I  will  do  it.' 
Let  our  prayer  and  supplication,  which  we  offer  towards  Thy 
chosen  city,  ascend  to  heaven,  Thy  dwelling-place.  Gather  to- 
gether our  dispersed  in  our  days  and  in  the  lifetime  of  the  whole 
House  of  Israel,  that  all  nations,  even  from  the  ends  of  the 
earth,  shall  approach  Thee,  to  call,  all  of  them,  on  the  name  of 
the  Lord,  and  the  Lord  shall  be  King  over  all  the  earth.  Then 
the  Lord  alone  shall  be  acknowledged,  and  His  name  be  one. 
Amen." 

Mr  Montefiore,  having  concluded  the  prayer,  descended 
from  the  pulpit,  and  the  congregation  chanted  several  Hebrew 
hymns.  The  prayer  for  the  Royal  Family  was  then  said,  and 
the  service  concluded  with  Psalm  cl. 

"  At  eight  o'clock,"  writes  Mr  Montefiore,  "  the  dedication 
finished,  all  delighted  with  the  ceremony  as  well  as  with  the 
music.  May  Heaven's  blessing  attend  it." 


Entertainment  at  East  Cliff  Lodge.  91 

At  nine  about  eighty-two  sat  down  to  dinner.  The  gardens 
were  beautifully  illuminated,  and  during  dessert  a  band  played 
in  the  tent. 

The  next  morning  Mr  Montefiore  accompanied  Dr  Herschel 
to'  the  Synagogne,  followed  by  all  their  friends  and  visitors. 
After  prayers  they  returned  to  East  Cliff  Lodge,  where  the  time 
was  spent  in  receiving  the  congratulations  of  their  friends.  The 
day  was  brought  to  a  close  by  a  most  agreeable  entertainment, 
a  description  of  which  I  give  in  his  own  words. 

"  Soon  after  nine  in  the  evening  our  company  began  to 
assemble,  consisting  of  all  our  neighbours  as  well  as  our  own 
party.  The  wind  had  been  exceedingly  high,  almost  too  much 
for  the  lamps  to  keep  a-light.  Providence  kindly  allayed  it,  and 
the  night  was  beautifully  calm.  Our  garden  was  splendidly 
illuminated  ;  we  had  a  band  of  twenty-four  performers  on  the 
lawn  and  another  in  the  dining-room.  All  our  rooms  were  rilled, 
many  visitors  strolling  about  the  grounds  to  witness  the  illumi- 
nation. Before  eleven  the  fireworks  were  displayed,  and  ex- 
ceeded our  most  sanguine  expectations ;  the  company  was 
delighted.  This  over,  the  tent-room  was  opened  for  supper ;  it 
made  a  splendid  appearance.  All  seemed  happy  and  gratified  ; 
dancing  was  kept  up  till  about  two  o'clock.  The  gardens  looked 
magnificent,  nothing  could  have  added  to  the  grandeur  of  the 
scene.  I  glory  in  the  occasion,  and  that  the  Almighty  has  most 
bountifully  provided  us  with  the  means.  To  my  dear  and  much- 
valued  wife  I  am  indebted  for  the  success  of  the  entertainment. 
We  can  never  forget  the  two  last  days." 

The  next  day  his  mother  and  the  greater  number  of  relatives 
and  friends  left  Ramsgate,  and  in  the  month  of  July  we  find  Mr 
and  Mrs  Montefiore  again  in  London,  Mr  Montefiore  following 
his  usual  vocations,  though  only  for  a  short  time ;  for  on  the 
1 3th  of  the  same  month  there  is  an  entry  in  his  diary  dated 
East  Cliff,  which  gives  striking  evidence  of  the  love  and  venera- 
tion he  felt  for  the  sacred  edifice  he  had  raised  to  the  honour 
and  glory  of  God. 

"  We  had  the  happiness,"  he  writes,  "  of  attending  our  Syna- 
gogue morning,  afternoon,  and  evening.  Thanks  to  Heaven  for 
a  very  happy  day.  Our  Synagogue  looked  like  Paradise.  I 
pointed  out  to  my  dear  Judith  the  spot,  not  more  than  ten  or 
fifteen  steps  from  the  Synagogue,  in  which  I  should  like  my 


92         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte/lore. 

mortal  remains  to  rest  when  it  shall  please  the  Almighty  to  take 
my  soul  to  Eternal  Glory,  should  I  depart  this  world  at  or  near 
East  Cliff."  His  wife  consented.  Their  love  was  great,  and 
they  did  not  wish  even  in  death  to  be  parted. 

Mr  Montefiore's  attention  having  now  been  drawn  to  the 
urgency  of  continued  exertions  in  the  furtherance  of  the  Eman- 
cipation Bill,  he  requested  Mr  G.  R.  Dawson  to  intercede  with 
his  brother-in-law,  Sir  Robert  Peel,  to  withdraw  his  opposition 
to  the  Bill,  and  also  took  other  steps  in  the  interest  of  the 
cause. 

A  Bill  was  again  brought  before  the  Committee  of  the  whole 
House  of  Commons,  "  That  it  is  expedient  to  remove  all  civil 
disabilities  affecting  Her  Majesty's  subjects  of  the  Jewish  re- 
ligion with  the  like  exceptions  as  are  provided  by  the  Catholic 
Emancipation  Act  of  1829,  with  reference  to  Her  Majesty's 
subjects  professing  the  Roman  Catholic  religion." 

The  second  reading  was  carried  by  a  majority  of  137  ;  it  was 
also  read  a  third  time,  but  in  the  Upper  House,  where  the  Duke 
of  Sussex  presented  a  petition  signed  by  7000  inhabitants  of 
Westminster  in  favour  of  the  Jews,  the  Bill  was  thrown  out  by  a 
majority  of  50. 

Mr  Montefiore  continued  to  take  the  greatest  interest  in  all 
important  meetings  of  various  committees,  especially  in  those  of 
his  own  community.  Referring  to  one  of  the  latter  charged 
with  the  appointment  of  a  lecturer,  Mr  Montefiore  says:  "The 
committee  recommended  a  salary  of  ,£35  a  year,  but  afterwards 
reduced  it  to  ^30.  The  resolution,  however,  was  amended,  and 
only  £20  was  granted."  The  particulars  of  this  salary  are 
interesting  when  compared  with  a  salary  to  which  a  competent 
lecturer  of  the  present  day  may  consider  himself  fully  entitled. 
It  sounds  strange  to  hear  of  fixing  the  salary  for  the  services  of 
a  gentleman  who  has  completed  a  University  education,  com- 
bined with  special  studies  of  theology,  much  lower  than  that 
which  is  generally  offered  to  an  upper  servant  in  a  gentleman's 
house.  It  can  only  be  explained  by  the  supposition  that  the 
candidate  may  have  been  simultaneously  filling  another  and 
more  lucrative  office,  which  did  not  interfere  with  his  duties  as 
lecturer. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

1834-1835. 

ILLNESS  OF  MR  MONTEFIORE — HIS  RECOVERY — SIR  DAVID 
SALOMONS  PROPOSED  AS  SHERIFF — VISIT  OF  THE  DUCHESS 
OF  KENT  AND  PRINCESS  VICTORIA  TO  RAMSGATE — MR 
MONTEFIORE'S  HOSPITALS  —  NAMING  OF  THE  VESSEL 
BRITANNIA  BY  MRS  MONTEFIORE— A  LOAN  OF  FIFTEEN 
MILLIONS. 

IN  the  year  1834  much  anxiety  was  felt  for  Mr  Montefiore  by 
his  friends  in  consequence  of  a  severe  illness  by  which  he 
was  attacked.     For  several  months  he  was  under  the  treatment 
of  eminent  surgeons,  and  on  his  recovery  his  strength  was  so 
low,  that  a  journey  to  the  South  of  France  was  deemed  necessary. 

He  accordingly  left  England,  accompanied  by  his  devoted 
wife,  who  had  during  his  whole  illness  tended  him  with  loving 
care.  Mr  Ashton  Rey,  one  of  his  medical  advisers,  in  a  letter 
he  once  wrote  to  Mr  Montefiore,  observed  that  Mrs  Montefiore 
was  one  of  the  best  wives  he  had  ever  seen,  never  moving  from 
her  husband's  bedside  day  or  night  except  to  snatch  a  few 
hours'  necessary  repose. 

They  remained  abroad  till  August,  the  change  of  air  having 
had  the  desired  effect  upon  him,  and  on  his  arrival  at  East  ClifF 
he  was  again  in  the  enjoyment  of  his  usual  health. 

They  were  both  much  disappointed  on  their  return  to  hear 
the  result  of  the  Jewish  Disabilities  Bill,  which,  after  having 
been  passed  in  the  Lower  House,  had  been  sent  to  the  Upper 
House,  where  it  was  lost  by  130  votes  against  38.  But  still 
they  did  not  lose  courage,  and  hoped  for  the  ultimate  victory  of 
the  good  cause. 

There  is  only  one  entry  after  this  referring  to  political 
matters.  It  is  to  the  effect  that  Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild  had  been 
with  the  Duke  of  Wellington  and  advised  him  to  form  a  Liberal 
Government,  and  to  consent  to  some  reforms  ;  saying  to  His 


94         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

Grace  that  he  must  go  with  the  world,  for  the  world  would  not 
go  with  him. 

On  the  last  page  of  the  diary  he  writes :  "  This  night  (3ist 
December)  brings  me  to  the  end  of  my  book  as  well  as  to  that 
of  the  year  1834..  When  I  reflect  on  the  situation  I  was  in 
during  a  long  period  of  this  year,  languishing  on  a  bed  of  sick- 
ness, in  severe  pain  and  affliction,  on  the  eve  of  undergoing  a 
dangerous  operation,  how  can  I  be  sufficiently  thankful  to  the 
Almighty  for  manifold  blessings  I  now  enjoy,  saved  by  His 
great  mercy  from  the  grave." 

Praying  for  a  continuation  of  former  mercies,  he  concludes 
with  a  copy  of  the  8 5th  Psalm. 

The  year  1835  will  ever  be  noted  in  the  history  of  civilisation 
as  one  in  which  the  dawning  light  of  liberty  began  to  inspire 
comfort  in  the  hearts  of  the  unwearied  strugglers  for  equal  rights 
for  the  Jews. 

On  May  the  7th  Mr  Montefiore  writes  :  "  I  called  at  Downing 
Street  on  the  Right  Hon.  Spring-Rice,  Chancellor  of  the  Ex- 
chequer. I  was  immediately  admitted,  and  received  by  him  in 
the  most  friendly  manner.  I  thanked  him  for  having  at  my 
request  appointed  Jacob  Montefiore  one  of  Her  Majesty's  Com. 
missioners  for  the  Colonisation  of  South  Australia.  The  Chan- 
cellor spoke  of  the  many  new  schemes  now  afloat  of  companies 
with  small  capital,  and  said  he  would  always  be  glad  to  see  me." 

A  month  later  he  went  to  the  Guildhall,  and  heard  David 
Salomons  proposed  to  the  Livery  as  one  of  the  Sheriffs  for 
London  and  Middlesex.  Sir  John  Campbell  having  introduced 
a  measure,  the  Sheriffs  Declaration  Bill,  which  by  the  repeal  of 
the  Test  and  Corporation  Act  in  1828  enabled  a  Jew  to  enter 
into  the  office  without  violating  his  own  religious  convictions, 
Mr  David  Salomons  was  elected  without  opposition  and  "  made 
a  very  good  speech,"  Mr  Montefiore  observes,  "in  returning 
thanks." 

The  arrival  in  Ramsgate  of  the  Duchess  of  Kent  and  Princess 
Victoria  (Her  present  Majesty)  is  described  by  Mr  Montefiore  as 
follows : — 

"  This  (September  2Qth)  is  a  very  busy  day.  At  ten  I  was  at 
the  Town  Hall ;  at  1 1  the  committee  and  many  of  the  inhabitants, 
both  on  horse  and  on  foot,  went  to  the  extremity  of  the  parish 
to  receive  their  Royal  Highnesses  the  Duchess  of  Kent  and 


Duchess  of  Kent  and  Princess  Victoria  at  Ramsgate.    95 

Princess  Victoria.  The  Deputy  of  the  Town  and  myself  headed 
the  procession  ;  we  walked  by  the  side  of  the  Royal  carriage 
bareheaded  all  the  way  to  Albion  House.  Thousands  of  people 
were  in  the  streets,  the  houses  all  gaily  ornamented  with  flags 
and  boughs  of  trees.  The  Duchess,  on  entering  the  house,  sent 
Sir  George  Conroy  to  request  that  the  gentlemen  of  the  com- 
mittee would  come  in  to  receive  her  thanks  for  their  attention. 
I  went  in  among  the  number,  and  was  introduced.  She  expressed 
herself  delighted  ;  the  Princess  was  also  much  pleased.  They 
had  appointed  to-morrow  at  eleven  o'clock  to  receive  the  address. 
About  four  I  again  joined  the  committee  at  the  head  of  the  pier. 
Sir  William  Curtis  was  most  polite.  The  Belgian  Ambassador, 
with  whom  I  had  dined  at  N.  M.  Rothschild's,  was  also  there, 
and  introduced  me  to  Sir  John  Conroy.  Soon  after  five  one  of 
the  King's  steamers  entered  the  harbour  with  the  King  and 
Queen  of  the  Belgians.  Several  members  of  the  committee  went 
on  board  to  welcome  them  on  their  arrival,  I  among  the  number. 
They  had  had  a  very  rough  passage  from  Calais.  The  King 
appeared  greatly  altered,  looking  very  old,  the  Queen  is  young 
and  pleasant  looking.  They  proceeded  on  foot  to  the  Albion 
Hotel.  The  town  was  handsomely  decorated  and  the  principal 
streets  illuminated,  but  the  wind  was  so  high  as  to  put  out  most 
of  the  lamps." 

The  next  morning  at  half-past  ten  Mr  Montefiore  went  to  the 
Town  Hall,  and  accompanied  Sir  William  Curtis,  Mr  Warren, 
Mr  Tomson  (the  Deputy),  Colonel  Clarke,  and  about  a  dozen 
more  to  Albion  House,  to  present  to  the  Duchess  of  Kent  and 
Princess  Victoria  the  address  from  the  inhabitants  and  visitors 
of  Ramsgate  and  its  vicinity.  They  were  all  introduced,  and 
were  most  kindly  received  by  the  Royal  party.  The  Duchess 
honoured  the  committee  with  a  gracious  reply,  which  she  read. 

The  committee  then  returned  to  the  Town  Hall,  and  prepared 
an  address  to  the  King  and  Queen  of  the  Belgians,  and  at  one 
o'clock  walked  to  the  Albion  Hotel.  They  were  introduced  and 
very  graciously  received,  the  King  speaking  to  Mr  Montefiore 
and  several  other  members  of  the  committee.  The  King  read  a 
reply  to  the  Address,  and  after  a  few  minutes  the  Committee 
withdrew,  much  gratified  with  their  reception. 

Subsequently  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  attended  a  ball  given 
by  the  Master  of  the  Ceremonies  at  the  Albion  Hotel,  where  they 


96          Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

met  many  acquaintances.  Sir  John  Conroy  was  particularly 
polite  to  them.  Mr  Montefio--e  offered  him  the  use  of  the  key 
of  his  grounds  for  the  Duchess,  which  he  accepted  with  pleasure. 
Accordingly  both  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  called  the  next  day 
on  the  Duchess,  and  left  a  key  there  for  the  use  of  Her  Royal 
Highness,  Sir  John  Conroy  and  his  family. 

On  Wednesday,  October  2ist,  the  Duchess,  accompanied  by 
one  of  her  ladies  of  honour,  and  attended  by  a  footman,  made 
use  of  the  key,  and  walked  through  their  grounds. 

Sir  John  Conroy,  meeting  Mr  Montefiore  next  day  at  Burgess' 
Library,  said  that  the  Duchess  regretted  that  his  gardener  had 
suddenly  disappeared  yesterday,  which  had  prevented  her  send- 
ing to  inform  Mrs  Montefiore  that  she  was  in  the  grounds  as  she 
had  wished  to  have  done. 

Her  Royal  Highness  having  repeated  her  visits  to  his  grounds, 
Mr  Montefiore  ordered  an  opening  to  be  made  in  the  field  on 
the  side  next  to  Broadstairs  for  the  convenience  of  the  Duchess. 
In  recognition  of  this  attention  he  received  the  following  note 
from  Sir  John  Conroy  : — 

"  Sir  John  Conroy  presents  his  compliments,  and  in  obedience 
to  a  command  he  has  just  received  from  the  Duchess  of  Kent, 
hastens  to  acquaint  Mr  Montefiore  that  Her  Royal  Highness  is 
exceedingly  gratified  and  obliged  by  his  attention  in  making  a 
new  access  to  his  charming  grounds  from  Broadstairs  for  her 
convenience,  but  Her  Royal  Highness  fears  she  has  given  a 
great  deal  of  trouble. 

"  RAMSGATE,  24^  October  1835. 

There  were  several  incidents  which  afforded  them  much 
gratification  this  year. 

Mrs  Montefiore  was  invited  to  name  a  new  steamer.  "  This 
morning,"  writes  Mr  Montefiore  on  July  9,  "we  embarked  from 
the  Custom  House  stairs  on  board  the  Harlequin,  to  witness  the 
launch  of  a  new  steamship  built  by  Fletcher  &  Fearnaly.  On 
reaching  the  dockyard  near  Limehouse,  Mr  Woolverly  Attwood 
and  Judith  went  on  shore  ;  I  followed  with  Horatio  at  half-past 
one.  My  dear  wife  named  the  ship  by  throwing  a  bottle  of 
wine  against  the  side  of  the  vessel  at  the  moment  she  left  the 
stocks  and  plunged  into  the  water.  'May  every  success,'  she 


Admit  ted  a  Member  of  Merchant  Taylors  Company.      97 

said,  'attend  the  Britannia?  We  then  went  on  board  the  Royal 
Sovereign.  There  was  a  large  party  ;  about  a  hundred  sat  down 
to  dinner.  Several  members  of  Parliament  with  their  ladies 
were  present,  G.  R.  Dawson,  Medley,  T.  M.  Pearce,  Pepvs,  and 
Col.  Lawrence.  Many  speeches,  all  drinking  my  dear  wife's 
health." 

Another  entry  refers  to  his  having  been  admitted  to  the 
freedom  of  the  Merchant  Taylors  Company.  Mr  Montefiore 
received  a  letter  from  Mr  Matthias  Attwood,  informing  him 
that  he  had  proposed  his  name  at  the  Court  of  the  above  Com- 
pany for  admission  to  the  freedom  and  livery  of  the  same.  The 
proposition,  said  Mr  Attwood,  was  carried  unanimously,  many 
of  the  members  expressing  the  high  respect  they  entertained  for 
Mr  Montefiore's  personal  character. 

On  the  4th  of  November  he  was  accordingly  admitted  and 
sworn  a  freeman  of  the  said  Company.  "  Matthias  Attwood," 
says  Mr  Montefiore,  "has  acted  with  the  greatest  kindness  in 
procuring  me  this  honour,  I  being  the  first  Jew  admitted  to 
their  Company.  At  the  next  meeting  of  the  Court  I  am  to  be 
made  one  of  the  livery." 

A  printed  slip  of  a  newspaper  is  affixed  to  one  of  the  leaves 
of  the  diary,  referring  to  a  loan  raised  under  the  authority  of  the 
Act  3  and  4  of  William  IV.,  cap.  73,  for  the  compensation  to 
owners  of  slaves  ;  it  reads  as  follows  : — 

"The  parties  to  the  contract  for  the  £15, 000,000  loan  are  N. 
M.  Rothschild  and  Moses  Montefiore  on  the  one  part,  and  Lord 
Melbourne,  Mr  F.  Spring-Rice,  Lord  Seymour,  and  Messrs  W. 
H.  Old,  R.  Steward,  and  R.  More,  on  the  other ;  witnesses. 
Messrs  James  Pattison,  Governor,  and  T.  A,  Curtis,  Deputy 
Governor  of  the  Bank  of  England." 

There  is  another  slip  attached  to  it,  showing  the  interest  on 
this  loan  to  have  been  lower  than  several  preceding  ones. 

The  interest  on  the  loan  of  1812  was  £3,  55.  7d.,and  of  1813, 

Second  loan  of  1813,  £5,  6s.  2d. ;  1814,  £4,  I2s.  id.;  1815, 
£5,  I2s.  4d. ;  1819,  £4,  53.  9d. ;  1820,  £4,  33.  3d.;  and  on  the 
present  loan,  £3,  /s.  6d. 

The  particulars  of  that  loan  are  given  in  the  Money  Market 
and  City  Intelligence,  dated  Monday  evening,  3rd  August  1835  : 

"The  bidding  for  the  West  Indian  loan  took  place  this 
I.  G 


98         Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

morning.  Mr  Rothschild  and  his  friends  waited  upon  Lord  Mel- 
bourne and  the  Chancellor  at  ten  o'clock.  Mr  Rothschild's 
tender,  the  only  one  prepared,  the  other  lists  having  been  with- 
drawn, was  then  opened,  when  that  gentleman's  bidding  was 
found  to  be  145.  lid.  in  long  annuities.  The  offer  having  been 
declined,  the  sealed  minimum  of  ministers,  as  previously  arranged, 
was  opened,  and  it  appeared  they  were  not  willing  to  give  more 
than  133.  /d.  of  annuities  in  addition  to  £7$  consols  and  £,25 
redeemed  3  per  cents,  for  every  £100  in  money  subscribed.  It 
was  for  Mr  Rothschild,  therefore,  either  to  agree  to  those  terms 
or  to  abandon  the  contract.  That  gentleman  and  his  friends 
retired  for  a  short  time  to  consult  on  the  subject,  and  finally 
agreed  to  accept  them.  An  important  concession  was,  however, 
obtained  in  regard  to  the  discount  for  paying  up  the  instalments, 
which  is  to  be  at  the  rate  of  4  per  cent,  on  the  payment,  as  in  all 
former  contracts  for  loans,  and  gives  a  bonus  of  £i,  193.  lod.  in 
favour  of  the  contractors.  The  subscribers  to  the  loan  have  now 
an  inducement  which  did  not  exist  under  the  arrangement  at 
first  proposed,  for  completing  the  instalments  and  turning  their 
omnium  into  stock.  Though  it  is  an  advantage,  therefore,  to  them, 
it  is  considered  somewhat  against  the  present  price  of  consols, 
as  a  large  supply  may  at  any  time  be  thrown  upon  the  market. 
The  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer  assured  the  gentlemen  who 
-attended  the  bidding,  that  all  means  would  be  taken  on  his  part 
to  bring  back  into  circulation  the  money  that  might  come  into 
his  hands  beyond  the  amount  called  for  to  meet  the  West  Indian 
claims.  On  the  subject  of  debentures  (they  are  not  named  in 
the  contract  specially)  against  which,  as  a  security  not  yet  created, 
there  were  many  objections,  it  is  agreed  that  they  shall  be  at  all 
times  made  receivable  to  the  instalments  of  the  loan.  When  the 
terms  were  first  made  known,  the  scrip  bore  a  premium  of  2f  to 
3  per  cent,  but  they  produced  a  decline  in  consols,  which  went 
back  to  89,  a  fall  of  nearly  i  per  cent,  at  the  highest  price  of  the 
morning.  A  large  amount  of  business  was  done  both  in  the  stock 
and  in  the  scrip  ;  the  fluctuations  in  them  were  not,  however,  very 
considerable  afterwards.  The  following  are  the  concluding  quo- 
tations :— - 

"  Consols  for  the  account,  89!  to  ;  omnium  2f ,  3 

premium  ;  Exchequer  bills,  i8s.  to  2os.  premium." 

On  the  same  day  he  makes  the  following  entry  in  his  journal : 


Elected  a  Governor  of  the  Blue  Coat  School.        99 

"I  accompanied  N.  M.  R.  Pattison  and  J.  A.  Curtis  to  the 
City ;  called  at  the  Alliance,  Irish  Bank,  &c.;  at  six  we  dined, 
and  took  our  fast,  &c.,  this  being  the  anniversary  of  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  Temple  in  Jerusalem." 

Few  financiers,  perhaps  would  feel  inclined,  after  all  the 
excitement  incidental  to  the  successful  contracting  of  a  loan 
for  £1 5,000,000,  to  comply  with  so  exacting  a  religious  observ- 
ance as  a  fast  of  twenty-four  hours  duration.  With  a  mind 
pre-occupied  with  business  details,  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  public 
funds,  and  other  matters,  such  an  observance  must  be  more 
than  ordinarily  trying.  Nevertheless  Mr  Montefiore  would 
not,  on  this  occasion  any  more  than  any  other,  allow  worldly 
interests  to  prevail  over  religious  duties. 

The  loan  for  the  abolition  of  slavery  reminded  him  of  the 
words  of  the  Prophet  Isaiah  (ch.  lii.,  v.  3)  to  Israel :  •'  Ye  have 
sold  yourselves  for  nought,  and  ye  shall  be  redeemed  without 
money,"  and  attuned  his  mind  to  reflection  on  the  former  glory 
of  Zion  and  its  present  state  of  sorrow. 

On  the  2nd  of  November  we  find  a  record  of  his  having  paid 
,£400  to  the  Blue  Coat  School  to  constitute  him  one  of  the 
governors.  The  manner  in  which  he  was  led  to  take  this  step  is 
noteworthy.  A  young  man  who  was  a  complete  stranger  to 
them,  wrote  and  implored  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  to  take  his  wife 
and  child  under  their  protection.  He  acknowledged  that,  as  a 
stranger  and  one  professing  a  different  religion,  he  had  no  claim 
whatever  to  make  such  a  request,  but  he  had  heard  so  much  of 
their  kind-heartedness  that  he  felt  sure  they  would  not  refuse  to 
accede  to  the  dying  prayer  of  one  who  was  driven  by  unmerited 
misfortunes  to  despair  and  suicide.  Sir  Moses  enquired  into  the 
case,  and  finding  that  the  poor  man  had  really  deserved  a  better 
fate,  he  assisted  the  widow  in  her  distressing  position,  and 
bought  the  governorship,  as  recorded,  for  the  express  purpose  of 
being  able  to  provide  for  the  boy. 

There  is  another  entry  of  his  having  attended  a  meeting  of 
the  Committee  of  the  Cock  Court  Aim's  Houses,  which  he  had 
erected  and  presented  to  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  com- 
munity. His  object  in  attending  was  to  remind  the  Elders  to 
rebuild  some  of  the  houses  on  one  side  of  the  court,  at  an 
expense  not  exceeding  £900,  the  funds  in  hand  being  .£1400. 

Turning  to  politics,  he  mentions  a  dinner  party  at  Sir  Robert 


ioo       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

Campbell's,  where  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  met  the  Duke  and 
Duchess  of  Cleveland,  Lord  and  Lady  Darlington,  Lady 
Augusta  Powlett,  Colonel  Lushington,  and  other  friends  of 
emancipation. 

The  reader  having  seen  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  in  the  circle 
of  royalty  and  high  nobility,  I  will  ask  him  to  accompany 
me  into  the  circle  of  their  own  family  and  friends. 

On  November  27th  I  was  invited  to  a  dinner  party  given  by 
one  of  his  relatives  in  London,  the  late  Mr  Louis  Cohen.  It 
was  here  that  I  met  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  for  the  first  time. 
During  the  course  of  the  evening  I  had  many  opportunities 
of  conversing  with  them,  and  before  parting,  they  invited  me  to 
spend  a  week  with  them  at  East  Cliff  Lodge,  Ramsgate. 

A  few  days  later  I  was  informed  that  a  place  had  been  taken 
for  me  to  Ramsgate,  at  the  Spread  Eagle,  Gracechurch  Street, 
in  the  name  of  Mr  Montefiore. 

There  is  a  special  entry  of  this  little  journey,  which  I  copy. 

Thursday,  ^rd  December  1855. — "Walked  with  Judith  to 
Gracechurch  Street.  We  mtt  Louis  and  Florette  (the  late 
Mr  Louis  Cohen,  of  5  South  Street,  Finsbury,  their  nephew, 
and  his  wife)  and  Dr  Loewe.  We  all  went  with  the  Tally-Ho 
at  three  o'clock ;  they  having  the  whole  inside,  and  I  riding 
outside  on  the  box  seat.  We  took  tea  at  Sittingbourne,  and 
proceeded  from  Canterbury  about  ten  o'clock  by  the  night  stage 
coach  with  post  horses  to  East  Cliff. 

"  I  found  it  extremely  cold  ;  it  was  near  one  when  we  arrived 
at  East  Cliff,  thanks  to  Heaven,  in  safety,  and  found  all  well. 
Our  library  looked  delightfully  comfortable,  with  a  good  fire 
and  lamps.  I  was  almost  perishing  with  cold.  We  took  tea, 
&c.,  and  when  our  visitors  retired  to  their  chambers  it  was  near 
two  o'clock." 

The  inconvenient  mode  of  travelling  at  that  time  did  not 
prevent  his  making  such  journeys  whenever  required,  and  how- 
ever much  he  may  have  suffered  by  taking  his  seat  outside  the 
coach  (which  he  evidently  always  did  from  politeness  to  his 
visitors),  his  comfortable  home  soon  made  him  forget  the 
unpleasantness  of  a  long  cold  ride. 

During  my  stay  in  East  Cliff,  the  time  of  the  party  was 
generally  devoted  either  to  little  excursions  in  the  neighbour- 
hood, or  to  conversations  on  literary  subjects.  Sometimes  Mr 


Mrs  Montefiore  at  East  Cliff.  101 

and  Mrs  Montefiore  entertained  us  by  giving  their  reminiscences 
of  travels  in  Italy,  France,  and  Egypt. 

There  was  a  kind  of  charm  which  the  visitor  felt  in  their 
company ;  a  very  short  time  after  his  arrival  a  delightful  sensa- 
tion of  comfort  overcame  him,  and  soon  made  him  feel  at  home. 
The  amiability  of  both  the  hostess  and  host  made  the  days 
pass  agreeably  and  rapidly,  and  they  were  always  loth  to  retire 
when  the  midnight  hour  was  announced. 

Mrs  Montefiore  showed  us  all  the  curiosities  she  brought 
with  her  from  Egypt,  and  told  us  how  much  she  had  been  enter- 
tained in  that  country  by  the  number  of  languages  spoken 
around  her.  There  was  an  amusing  incident  that  day,  which 
particularly  induced  her  to  speak  on  the  study  of  languages.  Mr 
Montefiore  had  laid  a  wager  with  her  to  the  effect  that  if,  at  a 
stated  time,  she  would  be  able  to  pass  an  examination  by  him  in 
Italian  grammar,  he  would  give  her  a  cheque  for  ^100.  She 
was  fortunate  enough  to  acquit  herself  most  creditably  in  our 
presence,  and  received  the  amount  in  question. 

Mr  Montefiore  was  delighted  at  the  perseverance  and  ability 
displayed  by  his  wife,  and  she  was  truly  happy  to  have  again 
succeeded  (as  she  always  did)  in  obtaining  the  approbation  of 
her  husband. 

The  conversation  of  the  visitors  being  frequently  in  French 
and  German,  many  an  hour  was  spent  in  reading  letters  and 
poems  addressed  to  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  in  these  languages. 
Mrs  Montefiore,  however,  was  not  content  with  the  study  of 
modern  languages,  and  expressed  a  wish  to  acquire  also  a 
knowledge  of  Eastern  languages,  especially  of  Turkish  and 
Arabic. 

To  give  her  an  idea  of  the  grammatical  construction  of  the 
latter,  I  used  to  write  out  lessons  for  her,  and  she  at  once  com- 
menced to  learn  them.  The  following  morning  she  surprised  the 
whole  party  by  saying  by  heart  every  Turkish  and  Arabic  word 
that  I  had  written  out. 

It  was  amusing  to  all  of  us,  and  to  Mr  Montefiore  a  cause 
of  great  delight,  to  notice  the  zeal  with  which  she  took  up  the 
subject. 

One  day  she  produced  from  her  cabinet  a  scarabaeus  and  a 
little  Egyptian  clay  figure,  which  had  been  given  to  her  by  Mr 
Salt,  the  English  Consul  in  Egypt. 


IO2       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

Both  the  scarabaeus  and  the  little  figure  had  hieroglyphical 
inscriptions,  and  she  requested  me  to  give  her  a  translation  of 
the  same. 

In  compliance  with  her  request  I  explained  the  inscriptions, 
and  gave  her  a  short  account  of  the  Rosetta  stone  and  the  works 
of  Young  and  Champollion  and  other  Egyptologists. 

I  concluded  my  visit  to  East  Cliff  Lodge  on  the  I3th  of 
December.  Mr  Montefiore  requested  me  to  draw  up  a  plan  for 
some  future  travels  in  the  Holy  Land  ;  I  promised  to  comply 
with  his  wish,  and  then  took  leave.  There  is  an  entry  of  this 
date  in  the  diary,  in  which  he  says : 

"  If  my  dear  Judith  consents  to  our  again  visiting  the  Holy 
Land,  I  should  be  glad  to  obtain  the  company  of  the  Doctor  on 
our  pilgrimage." 

A  few  days  later  I  sent  him  the  plan  for  the  journey,  also  a 
second  copy  of  the  translation  which  I  had  made  of  the  hiero- 
glyphical inscription  on  the  Osiris  or  sepulchral  figure.  He 
acknowledged  the  receipt  of  the  same  in  two  letters,  one  written 
in  Mrs  Montefiore's  handwriting,  the  other  in  his  own.  Mr 
Montefiore  subsequently  told  me  that  his  wife  now  commenced 
to  take  a  special  interest  in  antiquities,  enriching  her  cabinet 
with  curiosities  whenever  an  opportunity  presented  itself.  The 
year  1835  is  also  noted  for  the  particular  interest  which  Mr 
Montefiore  took  in  the  affairs  of  his  own  community.  He  was 
elected  President  of  the  London  Committee  of  Deputies  of 
British  Jews,  his  predecessor,  Mr  Moses  Mocatta,  having  resigned 
the  office. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

1836-1837. 

DEATH  OF  MR  N.  M.  ROTHSCHILD — MR  MONTEFIORE  VISITS 
DUBLIN — BECOMES  THE  FIRST  JEWISH  MEMBER  OF  THE 
ROYAL  SOCIETY — DEATH  OF  WILLIAM  IV. — MR  MONTE- 
FIORE ELECTED  SHERIFF. 

IN  the  Diary  for  1836,  the  first  entry  is  .on  the  i/th  July,  which 
is  accounted  for  by  its  being  the  second  journal  for  that  year, 
the  one  containing  his  entries  for  the  early  months  having  been 
lost.  On  the  date  mentioned  he  records  his  grief  at  the  death  of 
an  aunt  to  whom  he  was  much  attached,  and  for  whom  he  enter- 
tained a  sincere  respect.  About  this  time  he  was  also  much 
affected  by  the  illness  of  Mr  N.  M.  Rothschild,  and  on  the  iQth 
we  find  him  busily  engaged  in  making  preparations  for  a  journey 
to  Frankfort-on-the-Main,  on  purpose  to  visit  this  "  kind  friend." 
Only  ten  months  ago  they  had  together  signed  the  contract  for 
the  loan  of  £i  5,000,000,  and  now  they  were  to  see  each  other  for 
the  last  time.  Mr  Montefiore  writes  :  "  We  arrived  there  in 
time  to  see  him  alive,  but  death  was  fast  approaching.  At  four 
o'clock  on  the  same  day  (28th  July)  his  brother,  Anselm,  asked 
him  to  say  prayers,  \vhich  he  did,  and  all  present  joined  him  ;  he 
then  kissed  his  wife  and  said  '  good  night '  quite  distinctly.  At 
five  he  breathed  his  last,  and  passed  away  without  the  slightest 
struggle.  I  was  with  him  the  whole  time,  and  remained  in  the 
room  an  hour  after  all  the  others  had  left  it.  I  had  thus  the 
melancholy  satisfaction  of  paying  the  last  respect  to  his  remains. 
Oh !  may  this  mourniul  sight  remind  me  of  the  nothingness  oi 
this  world's  grandeur,  and  may  I  daily  become  more  prepared 
for  a  blessed  Eternity  !  He  was  a  good  friend  to  me  and  my  dear 
Judith  in  our  early  life.  Peace  to  his  memory.  Hannah  (his 
wife)  did  not  leave  him  for  a  moment  during  his  illness,  and  re- 
mained in  the  room  for  some  time  after  his  death,  returning  there 
again  the  same  evening." 


104       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montcfiore. 

On  the  day  of  the  funeral,  which  took  place  in  London,  Mr 
Montefiore  writes  :  "  I  remained  at  the  burial  ground  above  an 
hour  after  the  mourners  had  left,  and  saw  the  grave  of  my  kind 
and  truly  lamented  friend  arched  over,  filled  up,  and  a  large  slab 
of  Yorkshire  stone  placed  upon  it.  Thus  have  I  witnessed  all 
that  was  mortal  of  my  dear  friend  consigned  to  the  earth  ;  his 
spirit  the  Almighty,  in  His  great  mercy,  has  taken  to  a  better 
world,  there  to  enjoy  in  glorious  eternity  the  reward  of  his 
charitable  actions." 

We  will  now,  however,  turn  to  more  cheerful  matters. 

On  October  8th  he  writes  :  "  I  had  the  honour  of  receiving  a 
card  of  invitation  to  dine  with  Her  Royal  Highness  the  Duchess 
of  Kent  on  Tuesday  next ; "  then,  true  to  his  motto,  which  bids 
him  "  think  and  thank,"  he  adds,  "  Praised  be  He  from  whom  all 
honour  and  distinction  flows." 

Tuesday,  the  nth.  The  words  of  his  entry  are  as  follows  :— 
"  I  attended  Synagogue,  and  a  little  before  seven  went  in  our 
chariot  to  West  Cliff,  where  I  had  the  honour  of  dining  with 
their  Royal  Highnesses  the  Duchess  of  Kent  and  the  Princess 
Victoria.  The  other  guests  were,  Sir  John  Conroy,  the  Dean 
of  Chester,  Mr  Justice  Gaselee,  the  Rector  of  St  Lawrence,  the 
Hon.  Col.  Stopford  and  his  wife,  the  Ladies  Jane  and  Charlotte 
Seymour,  and  one  other  lady  and  gentleman.  I  took  down  the 
Colonel's  wife  and  sat  opposite  to  the  Princess.  There  were 
thirteen  at  table,  and  it  was  impossible  for  it  to  have  been  more 
agreeable.  I  never  felt  myself  more  at  ease  at  any  dinner  party 
within  my  recollection.  The  behaviour  of  the  Duchess  was  most 
kind  and  condescending,  and  all  the  party  were  extremely  ami- 
able and  chatty.  The  entertainment  was  truly  Royal,  and  after 
dinner,  when  the  gentlemen  had  joined  the  ladies  in  the  drawing- 
room,  where  tea  and  coffee  were  served,  the  Duchess  again  spoke 
to  each  of  us.  The  Princess  Sophia  Matilda  was  also  present.  I 
returned  home  quite  enraptured  with  the  very  kind  and  obliging 
manner  in  which  I  had  been  distinguished  by  her  Royal  Highness." 

In  the  same  year  Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  received  the  con- 
gratulations of  their  friends  on  a  providential  escape  from  the 
horrors  of  shipwreck.  They  had  left  Margate  in  the  Magnet  at 
nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  i/th  October.  The  weather 
was  foggy,  but  they  thought  it  would  soon  clear  up.  They  had 
only  proceeded  a  short  distance,  however,  when  they  got  on  to 


Narrow  Escape  from  Shipwreck.  105 

a  sandbank,  where  they  were  obliged  to  remain  for  two  hours, 
feeling  the  gravest  anxiety  all  the  time.  At  last  the  tide  floated 
them  off  again,  and  they  endeavoured  to  grope  their  way 
through  the  fog,  passing  several  vessels,  which  were  only  visible 
when  quite  close  upon  them.  Mr  Montefiore  was  standing  near 
the  bow  of  the  ship,  when  suddenly  a  steamer  was  seen  to  be 
quite  close  to  them,  and  before  it  was  possible  to  avoid  her,  she 
struck  their  bow  with  a  dreadful  crash.  Mr  Montefiore  threw 
himself  on  deck  to  escape  injury.  The  screams  of  the  people 
on  board  both  boats  were  terrible.  It  was  soon  seen  that  the 
Red  Rover,  the  vessel  they  had  encountered,  was  sinking  fast. 
Her  passengers  and  crew  lost  no  time  in  getting  on  board  the 
Magnet,  and  in  five  minutes  the  Red  Rover  was  engulfed  in  the 
sea,  which  was  immediately  covered  with  spars,  boxes,  and  other 
wreckage.  The  alarm  was  dreadful.  The  Magnet,  having  sus- 
tained serious  damage,  her  situation  was  most  critical.  She  was 
making  a  great  deal  of  water,  and  the  pumps  were  instantly 
set  to  work,  while  the  vessel  made  for  the  shore.  Happily 
they  were  boarded  by  a  fishing  smack  and  taken  to  Sheerness, 
where  they  landed,  but  where,  unfortunately,  their  troubles  did 
not  end.  No  sort  of  conveyance  was  to  be  found  in  Sheerness, 
and  they  were  obliged  to  go  by  boat  to  Chatham,  and  thence  in 
a  post-chaise  to  town.  It  was  nearly  I  P.M.  when  the  Marine 
Office  was  reached.  "  My  poor  dear  wife,"  writes  Mr  Monte- 
fiore, "  conducted  herself  with  her  usual  admirable  courage.  We 
were,  in  all  probability,  never  in  our  lives  in  more  imminent 
danger.  God  be  praised  for  His  great  mercy  for  granting  us 
His  protection." 

A  seven  o'clock  the  next  morning  Mr  Montefiore  proceeds 
to  the  Synagogue,  where  he  renders  thanks  to  the  Almighty. 
At  the  same  time  he  gives  £600  in  charity — ,£50  for  the 
Portuguese  and  £50  for  the  German  poor  in  London,  and  ,£500 
for  the  poor  of  Jerusalem. 

The  journal  of  this  year  contains  but  few  entries  relating  to 
politics. 

In  the  session  of  1836  the  Ministry,  in  their  attempt  to  carry 
several  important  measures  of  reform,  were  defeated  in  the 
House  of  Lords,  but  succeeded  in  passing  an  Act  enabling 
Dissenters  to  be  married  otherwise  than  by  the  Established 
clergy.  Bills  were  also  passed  for  commuting  tithes  into  a 


io6       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

corn-rent  charge  payable  in  money,  and  for  a  general  registry 
of  births,  deaths,  and  marriages.  The  second  reading  of  the 
Bill  for  the  removal  of  civil  disabilities  from  His  Majesty's 
Jewish  subjects  was  postponed  in  the  House  of  Lords.  The 
Jews  were,  however,  satisfied  with  the  progress  their  cause  had 
hitherto  made,  and  they  considered  themselves  justified  in 
hoping  for  a  speedy  and  complete  emancipation.  The  election 
of  Mr  David  Salomons  as  Sheriff  of  London  and  Middlesex,  and 
Alderman  for  the  ward  of  Aldgate,  took  place  about  this  time. 

The  particulars  I  shall  give  of  the  next  few  years  will  show 
the  progress  of  good  feeling  between  the  Jews  and  their  fellow- 
citizens,  and,  in  particular,  the  esteem  in  which  Mr  Montefiore 
was  held  by  men  of  all  sects. 

On  the  ist  of  January  1837  we  meet  Mr  Montefiore  in 
Dublin,  whither  he  had  gone  with  a  deputation  from  the  Pro- 
vincial Bank  of  Ireland  (in  London).  "  My  companions,  Messrs 
Th.  Masterman  and  James  Marshall,"  he  writes,  "  accompanied 
me  to  the  new  house  of  our  agency,  and  we  were  present  at  the 
commencement  of  business.  We  remained  there  till  five  o'clock, 
and  found  that  all  was  conducted  comfortably."  He  then  called 
with  the  Directors  on  Lord  Morpeth  and  other  influential 
persons,  in  the  interests  of  their  business.  Whilst  in  Ireland  he 
gave  handsome  donations  to  various  charitable  institutions,  in- 
cluding £100  to  the  Dublin  Bluecoat  School.  He  also  visited 
the  Synagogue,  where  he  made  generous  offerings. 

On  the  1 3th  he  is  again  in  London,  receiving  the  thanks  of 
the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Irish  Bank  for  the  valuable  ser- 
vices he  and  his  colleagues  had  rendered  by  their  visit  to- 
Ireland. 

On  the  23rd  February,  at  the  Royal  Society,  he  is  introduced 
to  the  vice-president,  the  Earl  of  Burlington,  by  Mr  W.  H. 
Pepys,  Mr  Montefiore  being  the  only  Jewish  member  as  yet 
admitted.  Writing  in  his  journal  on  the  subject,  he  says:  "I 
think  I  may  be  proud  of  the  honour  of  enrolling  my  name  in  the 
same  book  which  has  already  been  signed  by  several  of  the 
kings  of  England." 

In  March  Mr  Montefiore  had  a  deed  of  gift  prepared  by  T. 
M.  Pearce,  conferring  the  "  Upper  French  Farm  "  on  his  brother 
Horatio  and  his  children.  He  also  returns  ^500  to  a  friend 
who  had  repaid  that  sum  which  he  had  borrowed  from  him  in 


Death  of  William  IV.  107 

the  year  1819  to  commence  business  with  ;  Mr  Montefiore 
observing  that  he  was  more  than  repaid  in  witnessing  his 
friend's  success. 

On  the  2Oth  of  the  same  month  I  find  the  first  entry  referring 
to  an  offer  of  the  Shrievalty  of  London  and  Middlesex.  Mr  A. 
H.  Thornborough  called  on  Mr  Montefiore,  saying  he  was  deputed 
by  some  of  the  most  influential  members  of  the  Corporation  of 
London  to  offer  him  the  Shrievalty  at  the  ensuing  election,  if 
he  would  accept  the  office.  Mr  Montefiore  candidly  stated  that 
he  was  not  desirous  of  the  honour,  but  if  he  were  elected,  he 
wished  to  be  free  either  to  accept  or  decline  it ;  he  also  stated 
that  he  could  not  attend  church,  but  had  no  objection  to  send 
his  money,  and  at  all  the  city  feasts  he  must  be  allowed  to  have 
his  own  meat,  dishes,  &c.  To  all  of  which  Mr  Thornborough 
said  there  could  be  no  possible  objection.  It  was  nearly  twelve 
o'clock  before  he  left.  "  I  suppose,"  writes  Mr  Montefiore,  "  I 
shall  hear  nothing  more  of  the  business,  but  whatever  is,  is  for 
the  best.  Praise  be  to  God  alone." 

Till  the  2nd  of  June  there  is  no  entry  of  any  importance  in 
the  diary,  but  on  that  day  the  death  of  the  King  of  England 
(William  IV.)  is  recorded,  and  a  further  reference  is  made  to  the 
subject  of  the  Shrievalty.  Mr  Montefiore  says,  "  This  morning  at 
2  A.M.  it  pleased  the  Almighty  to  call  to  a  better  world  our 
beloved  King  William  IV.  Oaths  of  allegiance  were  taken 
to-day  by  the  members  of  both  Houses  of  Parliament  to  the 
Queen  Alexandrina  Victoria.  May  her  reign  be  long,  glorious, 
and  happy.  Amen." 

After  entering  various  particulars  relating  to  his  financial 
transactions,  and  to  some  visits  which  he  paid  to  different  friends 
and  relations,  he  writes  : 

"  Mr  Lucas,  one  of  the  aldermen,  having  written  to  me 
yesterday  to  ascertain  my  intention  respecting  the  proposal 
made  to  me  some  time  ago  to  be  Sheriff  next  year,  I  requested 
he  would  inform  the  parties  that  I  did  not  give  my  consent  to 
my  being  proposed  to  the  Livery,  and  in  the  event  of  its  being 
done,  and  of  my  being  elected,  I  most  distinctly  stated  that  I 
considered  myself  perfectly  free  either  to  accept  or  decline  the 
honour." 

On  the  22nd  of  June  he  wrote  a  note  to  L.  Lucas,  begging 
him  to  inform  Mr  Thornborough  that  his  state  of  health  would 


1 08       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

not  allow  him  to  accept  the  office  of  Sheriff  if  the  citizens  of 
London  did  him  the  honour  to  elect  him.  He  also  acquainted 
T.  M.  Pearce  with  his  intention  of  declining  the  Shrievalty  in 
the  event  of  its  being  conferred  on  him.  It  appears,  however, 
that  many  friends  and  relatives  spoke  to  him  on  the  subject,  and 
prevailed  on  him  to  accept  the  office  if  elected. 

On  the  24th  June  Mr  Huffam  called  to  bring  the  news  that 
Mr  Montefiore  had  been  unanimously  elected  Sheriff  of  London 
and  Middlesex.  He  had  been  proposed  by  Mr  T.  A.  Curtis, 
Governor  of  the  Bank  of  England,  the  resolution  being  seconded 
by  Mr  Samuel  Gurney.  Mr  Huffam  said  that  both  gentlemen 
had  spoken  most  highly  of  him,  and  that  there  were  over  four 
hundred  persons  present. 

In  the  evening,  Mr  Montefiore,  accompanied  by  his  good  wife, 
paid  a  visit  to  his  mother,  to  tell  her  of  the  honour  he  had  re- 
ceived from  the  Livery  of  London,  and  to  ask  and  receive  her 
blessing  on  his  undertaking.  He  then  prayed  for  the  blessing  of 
heaven,  so  to  guide  his  conduct  that  he  might  discharge  the 
duties  of  the  office  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  own  conscience,  to 
the  gratification  of  the  citizens,  and  to  the  honour  of  the  Jews. 

He  received  congratulations  from  numerous  friends  and  rela- 
tives, which  seemed  however  to  give  him  but  little  satisfaction. 
The  following  extract  from  his  diary  will  show  why  this  was 
so : — "  I  shall  have  the  greatest  difficulties  to  contend  with,"  he 
writes,  "  in  the  execution  of  my  duty ;  difficulties  which  I  shall 
meet  with  at  the  very  outset.  The  day  I  enter  on  my  office  is 
the  commencement  of  our  New  Year.  I  shall  therefore  have  to 
walk  to  Westminster  instead  of  going  in  my  state  carriage,  nor, 
I  fear,  shall  I  be  able  to  dine  with  my  friends  at  the  inaugura- 
tion dinner  which,  from  time  immemorial,  is  given  on  the  3Oth 
of  September.  I  shall,  however,  endeavour  to  persuade  my 
colleague  to  change  the  day  to  the  5th  of  October. 

Some  of  our  readers  will  perhaps  smile  at  his  difficulties,  but 
when  his  friends  observed  how  differently  other  persons  would 
act  in  a  similar  position,  he  used  to  say :  "  Very  well,  I  will  not 
deviate  from  the  injunctions  of  my  religion  ;  let  them  call  me  a 
bigot  if  they  like ;  it  is  immaterial  to  me  what  others  do  or 
think  in  this  respect.  God  has  given  man  the  free  will  to  act  as 
he  may  think  proper.  He  has  set  before  him  life  and  death, 
blessing  and  curse  (Deut.  ch.  xxx,  v.  15).  I  follow  the  advice 


Elected  Sheriff  of  London  and  Middlesex.          1 09 

given  in  Holy  Writ,  and  choose  that  which  is  considered  life, 
which  is  accounted  a  blessing." 

His  first  visit  in  the  city  was  to  Messrs  T.  A.  Curtis  and 
Samuel  Gurney,  to  thank  the  former  for  having  proposed  the 
resolution  for  his  election,  and  the  latter  for  having  seconded  it. 
He  then  received  congratulations  from  Messrs  Pearce,  Thorn- 
borough,  and  Wire  at  the  Alliance  Office,  and  appointed  Mr 
Wire  as  his  under-sheriff.  On  the  same  day  he  addressed  a 
formal  letter  of  thanks  to  "  The  worthy  and  independent  Livery 
of  London." 

The  next  day  Messrs  Thorn  borough,  Lucas,  and  Carrol  called, 
and  it  was  agreed  to  have  the  Sheriffs'  inauguration  dinner  on 
the  5th  October  instead  of  the  3Oth  September.  Sir  James 
Duke,  one  of  the  outgoing  Sheriffs,  also  came,  and  was  most 
friendly.  He  offered  Mr  Montefiore  every  assistance,  and  in- 
vited him  to  dine  at  the  Old  Bailey  on  Thursday,  the  4th  July. 
Two  days  later  he  attended  with  his  colleague,  Mr  George 
Carrol,  a  meeting  of  the  subscribers  to  the  Sheriffs'  Fund,  at 
the  City  of  London  Coffee  House,  Ludgate  Hill,  where  he  was 
introduced  to  Mr  Sheriff  Johnson,  who  was  in  the  chair.  There 
he  also  met  Sir  James  Duke,  Mr  Wire,  Mr  Anderson,  the  Gover- 
nor of  Bridewell,  and  other  gentlemen,  and  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  prepare  a  plan  for  a  more  extensive  employment 
of  the  funds  of  the  above-named  Charity.  Both  Sheriffs  were 
most  polite  to  Messrs  Carrol  and  Montefiore,  and  invited  them 
to  be  present  on  all  occasions  at  the  Sessions  in  the  Old  Bailey, 
when  they  were  also  to  breakfast  and  dine  with  them. 

July  the  4///. — Mr  T.  A.  Curtis  kindly  accompanied  Mr 
Montefiore  to  the  Court  of  Aldermen,  where  both  he  and  Mr 
George  Carrol  signed  bonds  engaging  to  take  upon  themselves 
the  office  of  Sheriff,  under  penalty  of  £1000  fine.  "The  Lord 
Mayor,"  writes  Mr  Montefiore,  "and  every  Alderman  present 
shook  hands  with  me,  each  paid  me  some  neat  compliment,  and 
every  attention  was  shown  to  my  religious  feelings." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Livery,  where  a  resolution  to  send  an 
address  to  the  Queen  was  proposed  by  Mr  David  Salomons  and 
carried  unanimously,  twelve  of  the  Livery  were  appointed  to 
present  the  same,  amongst  whom,  besides  the  Lord  Mayor, 
Sheriffs,  and  Aldermen,  were  Messrs  David  Salomons,  G.  Carrol, 
and  M.  Montefiore. 


I  iO       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiote. 

July  6th. — Mr  Montefiore  went  to  the  Old  Bailey  at  half-past 
eight,  and  breakfasted  with  the  Under  Sheriff,  Mr  G.  Carrol,  and 
Other  gentlemen.  The  Sheriffs  and  Aldermen  came  in  a  little 
before  ten,  at  which  time  Baron  Vaughan,  Baron  Alderson,  and 
the  Lord  Mayor  also  came.  He  was  introduced,  and  received 
by  all  in  a  very  friendly  manner,  and  then  went  with  them  into 
Court.  At  eleven  he  went  with  Sheriff  Johnson  and  Mr  George 
Carrol  over  every  part  of  Newgate.  "  It  was  half-past  one  before 
we  had  finished  our  tour  of  inspection.  I  find  my  new  post  will 
give  me  very  serious  occupation,  and  much  more  trouble  than  I 
had  expected,  but  I  hope  the  blessing  of  Heaven  will  attend  my 
endeavours  to  fulfil  its  various  duties  to  the  satisfaction  of  my 
fellow-citizens."  This  did,  however,  not  prevent  him  from  turn- 
ing his  mind,  when  necessary,  also  to  the  affairs  of  his  own 
community.  He  accompanied  T.  M.  Pearce  to  Downing  Street, 
and  had  an  interview  with  Mr  Lister,  the  Registrar-General. 
"  We  agreed,"  he  says,  "  that  it  would  not  be  safe  for  Jews  to 
marry  by  licence  under  the  present  Marriage  Bill,  and  that  they 
must  give  twenty-one  days'  notice  to  the  Registrar." 

On  the  same  day  he  dined  at  five  with  the  Lord  Mayor, 
Sheriffs,  and  other  distinguished  persons  at  the  Old  Bailey. 
"A  capital  dinner,"  he  observes,  "dessert  and  wine  ;  I  had  part 
of  a  fowl  which  had  been  sent  from  home."  Eyery  one  was 
most  attentive  to  him.  The  Judges  and  the  Lord  Mayor  left 
at  seven,  but  the  Sheriffs  stayed  till  eight  o'clock. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

1837- 

THE  JEWS'  MARRIAGE  BILL — MR  MONTEFIORE  AT  THE  QUEEN'S 
DRAWING-ROOM — HIS  INAUGURATION  AS  SHERIFF. 

ON  July  7th  he  called  on  the  Chief  Rabbi  to  discuss  the 
marriage  laws,  a  subject  which  was  causing  much  uneasi- 
ness in  the  community.  He  was  detained  there  so  long  that  it 
became  too  late  for  him  to  attend  the  committee  meeting  at  the 
Irish  Bank.  He  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Archbishop  of  Dublin  on 
the  subject  of  the  Jews'  Marriage  Bill,  requesting  him  to  take 
charge  of  it  in  the  House  of  Lords.  In  the  course  of  the  day 
he  received  a  card  of  invitation  to  a  dinner  of  the  Merchant 
Taylors  Company  from  J.  Allison,  the  new  Master,  with  a  most 
friendly  note,  requesting  him  to  name  the  dishes  he  would  wish 
to  have  placed  before  him. 

On  July  pth  Mr  Montefiore  went  with  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Deputies  to  consult  T.  M.  Pearce  on  the  subject  of  the 
Jews'  Marriage  Bill,  and  in  the  evening  attended  a  meeting  of 
the  Deputies,  at  which  it  was  resolved  to  petition  the  House  of 
Lords  in  favour  of  the  measure.  He  writes  :  "  I  am  most  firmly 
resolved  not  to  give  up  the  smallest  part  of  our  religious  forms 
and  privileges  to  obtain  civil  rights."  One  of  the  members  of 
the  board  also  gave  notice  of  a  motion  for  "a  more  popular 
election  of  the  Deputies." 

On  July  loth  Mr  Montefiore  met  T.  M.  Pearce  at  the  House 
of  Lords.  Mr  Blake,  the  legal  adviser  of  the  Archbishop  of 
Dublin,  made  several  important  alterations  in  the  Bill,  which,  in 
Mr  Montefiore's  opinion,  greatly  improved  it.  He  then  called 
at  Downing  Street  to  see  Mr  Spring-Rice,  but  that  gentleman 
had  just  left  town  for  Cambridge.  Mr  Montefiore  immediately 
resolved  to  go  and  see  him  there. 

At   5    P.M.  he  again  met   Pearce,  also    Mr  Buxton,  at   the 


1 1 2       Diaries  of  Sir  J\ 'loses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

House  of  Lords.  The  Archbishop  of  Dublin  and  several  other 
Lords  had  declined  to  propose  the  second  reading  of  the  Mar- 
riage Act  Bill.  Mr  Buxton  exerted  himself  greatly,  and  spoke 
to  several  Peers  in  his  presence  without  success.  At  last  he 
prevailed  on  Lord  Glenelg  to  promise  that  he  would  speak  with 
Lord  Duncannon,  and  would  give  notice  the  next  day. 

In  accordance  with  his  resolution,  Mr  Montefiore  went  the 
same  day  by  the  "  Cambridge  Mail "  to  see  Mr  Spring-Rice. 
On  his  return  he  went  to  the  House  of  Lords  with  Pearce  and 
saw  Lord  Glenelg.  "But,"  writes  Mr  Montefiore,  "he  would 
have  nothing  to  do  with  the  Bill,  and  Pearce  could  get  no  Peer 
to  move  the  second  reading,  consequently,  the  Bill  will  be  lost, 
and  with  it  all  the  expenses,  £400." 

Wednesday,  July  19. — He  attended  the  Queen's  first  levee  at 
St  James'  Palace  ;  it  was  very  crowded.  He  was  one  of  the 
Deputation  of  the  Livery  of  London,  by  whom  an  address  of 
congratulation  was  to  be  presented  to  Her  Majesty.  The  Lord 
Mayor  introduced  them.  Mr  Montefiore  was  afterwards  pre- 
sented a  second  time.  On  his  card  was  written,  "  Mr  Montefiore, 
presented  by  the  Duke  of  Norfolk."  "  The  Queen,"  he  observes, 
"looked  very  pretty  and  most  interesting."  "May  she  be 
happy  1 "  is  his  prayer  to  heaven.  It  was  after  four  o'clock 
when  he  left  the  Palace.  He  had  spoken  to  a  great  number  of 
acquaintances  there.  The  next  day  he  went  with  Mrs  Monte- 
fiore to  St  James'  Palace  to  attend  the  Queen's  drawing-room. 
Mrs  Montefiore  was  presented  to  Her  Majesty  by  the  Countess 
of  Albemarle,  and  was  most  graciously  received.  "  I  followed 
her,"  writes  Mr  Montefiore.  <:The  Queen  smiled  good-hum- 
ouredly  at  me,  and  the  Duchess  of  Kent  said  she  was  pleased  to 
see  us.  No  reception  at  a  drawing-room  could  have  been  more 
flattering." 

At  five  o'clock  he  went  to  dine  at  the  Merchant  Taylors 
Hall.  Mr  Alliston,  the  Master,  was  most  civil  and  kind  to  him, 
and  to  Mr  George  Carrol.  It  was  a  most  splendid  banquet, 
about  one  hundred  and  twenty  sat  down  to  table.  The  enter- 
tainment was  given  by  the  Merchant  Taylors  to  the  Skinners 
Company,  in  accordance  with  an  old  custom,  which  owed  its 
origin  to  the  following  occurrence.  A  difference  having  arisen 
between  the  two  companies,  it  was  referred  to  the  Lord  Mayor, 
who  decided  that  "  they  were  both  wrong  and  both  right,"  and 


Attends  Dinner  of  the  Skinners   Company.        1 13: 

decreed  that  each  company  should  annually  entertain  the  other 
at  a  dinner.  This  has  been  kept  up,  without  a  single  exception, 
ever  since  the  Lord  Mayor  gave  his  verdict,  which  was  more 
than  three  hundred  years  ago.  "  Nothing,"  says  Mr  Montefiore, 
"could  have  been  more  magnificent  than  the  entertainment.  I 
sat  next  to  Mr  Charles  Culling  Smith,  the  Duke  of  Wellington's 
brother-in-law,  and  my  health  and  that  of  Mr  George  Carrol 
was  drunk." 

Mr  Montefiore  now  wished  to  go  to  Ramsgate  for  a  few  days* 
rest,  but  before  leaving  town  he  sent  a  letter  to  the  Master, 
Wardens,  and  Assistants  of  the  Worshipful  Company  of  Merchant 
Taylors,  requesting  the  use  of  their  hall  for  the  inauguration 
dinner  in  October. 

In  August  we  find  him  again  in  London,  attending  a  dinner 
of  the  Skinners'  Company,  where  he  meets  Mr  Attwood  and  his 
colleague  Mr  George  Carrol,  also  several  friends  belonging  to 
the  Merchant  Taylors'  Company.  His  health  is  proposed,  and 
he  returns  thanks.  One  of  the  party,  Dr  Knox,  the  Master  of 
the  Skinners'  Company's  school  at  Tonbridge,  expressed  himself 
in  very  flattering  terms  to  Mr  Montefiore  after  the  entertain- 
ment, but  observed  that  he  ought  not  to  be  one  of  the  Court 
Assistants,  as  the  latter  had  to  protect  their  church.  Mr  Monte- 
fiore, in  reply,  assured  him  that  he  would  never  ask  anything  of 
the  Company  that  they  might  not  be  willing  to  grant.  Dr  Knox 
appeared  fully  satisfied  with  what  he  heard,  and  continued  the 
conversation  in  a  friendly  spirit. 

On  the  20th  of  August  there  is  a  very  affectionate  entry,, 
dated  from  Tonbridge,  and  referring  to  his  brother,  Horatio 
Montefiore. 

"  Horatio,"  he  writes,  "  joined  us  this  morning  at  breakfast  >. 
he  left  Ramsgate  and  his  family  last  evening,  and  travelled  all 
night.  At  eleven  o'clock  my  dear  Judith,  Horatio,  Mr  Ridge,, 
and  myself  went  in  the  britzka  to  Tinley  Lodge,  Upper  French 
Farm.  The  houses,  barns,  stables,  and  outhouses  had  all  been 
put  in  the  most  substantial  and  complete  repair,  and  looked 
extremely  well,  as  did  the  land.  With  the  full  and  willing 
consent  of  my  dear  wife,  I  informed  Horatio  that  I  made  him  a 
present  of  the  estate,  and  after  him  to  his  children,  strictly 
entailing  it  on  the  eldest  son  from  generation  to  generation,  and 
recommended  him  to  grant  Shetfield,  the  present  tenant,  a  lease 
I.  H 


1 1 4       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

At  a  moderate  rent  for  fourteen  years,  say  at  £"JQ.  Horatio 
appeared  well  pleased  with  the  gift." 

This  entry  is  followed  by  another  equally  pleasing.  He 
dined  with  his  sister-in-law,  Mrs  Hannah  Rothschild,  and 
met  there,  among  others,  the  Count  and  Countess  Ludolf. 
In  the  course  of  conversation,  the  Count  said  that  several 
English  physicians  had  offered  to  go  to  Naples,  where  the 
cholera  was  then  raging,  and  assist  in  relieving  the  sufferers, 
but,  unfortunately,  they  had  no  funds.  Mr  Montefiore,  upon 
hearing  this,  immediately  promised  £200  for  the  purpose,  and 
of  course  kept  his  word. 

In  the  following  record  of  a  visit  paid  by  Mr  and  Mrs 
Montefiore  to  H.R.H.  the  Princess  Sophia  Matilda  during  her 
stay  at  Ramsgate,  we  find  one  of  the  many  gratifying  instances 
of  the  esteem  in  which  they  were  both  held  by  the  highest  in 
the  land. 

On  September  the  I2th  he  writes  : — "At  three  we  went  in  our 
britzka  with  post  horses,  through  a  torrent  of  rain,  to  West  Cliff 
House,  by  appointment,  to  visit  H.R.H.  the  Princess  Sophia 
Matilda.  She  received  us  most  kindly,  and  was  very  chatty. 
She  spoke  on  many  different  subjects,  including  the  slave  trade 
and  the  prevailing  epidemics ;  also  of  her  proposed  visit  to 
Brighton,  which  she  hoped  would  agree  with  her.  We  then 
.-spoke  of  the  Queen  and  the  Duchess  of  Kent  Judith  said  she 
hoped  the  Queen  would  build  a  palace  at  Ramsgate.  Her 
^Royal  Highness  replied,  she  could  not  recommend  the  ex- 
•pense,  as  it  would  be  talked  of  a  hundred  years  after ;  it  was  all 
•very  well  just  at  first  We  remained  more  than  half-an-hour, 
and  on  our  taking  leave,  Her  Royal  Highness  shook  hands  with 
Judith  most  kindly,  and  said  she  was  happy  in  having  made 
her  acquaintance.  During  our  visit  she  also  spoke  of  her 
brother,  the  late  King,  and  on  each  occasion  the  tears  came 
into  her  eyes.  She  appeared  in  very  good  health,  and  fond  of 
retirement" 

On  the  24th  of  September  Mr  Montefiore  writes : — "  Her 
Royal  Highness  the  Princess  Sophia  Matilda  paid  Judith  a 
visit  yesterday,  and  remained  with  her  an  hour  and  a  half.  She 
had  first  appointed  to  come  on  Friday  if  I  had  been  at  home, 
then  on  Monday  or  Tuesday,  but  Judith  wrote  that  we  were 
going  to  London  in  the  middle  of  the  week,  and  would  be 


Sworn  into  Office  as  Sheriff.  i  T  g 

happy  to  see  Her  Royal  Highness  on  Saturday.  She  was  most 
gracious  and  agreeable." 

Wednesday,  September  27th. — Mr  Montefiore  called  at  the 
Mansion  House  and  saw  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Mr  Croft,  who 
accepted  the  new  Sheriffs'  invitation  for  Wednesday,  the  nth 
October.  According  to  an  ancient  custom  Mr  Montefiore,  as 
Sheriff,  should  have  dined  with  the  Lord  Mayor  on  Friday, 
the  29th,  but  he  apologized  for  his  inability  to  do  so  on  account 
of  the  Sabbath  commencing  in  the  evening. 

Thursday,  the  2<&th. — "  I  cannot,"  he  says,  "  but  reflect  with 
gratitude  on  the  Almighty's  goodness  to  me  :  may  He  bless  my 
endeavours  to  be  useful. "  He  then  gives  the  following  account 
of  the  day's  proceedings  : — "  At  ten  I  entered  our  state  carriage, 
Mr  Wire  having  come  for  me  in  his,  and  we  drove  to  Cavendish 
Square,  where  Mr  George  Carrol  in  his  state  carriage  took  the 
lead,  he  being  the  senior  Sheriff,  on  account  of  his  having  been 
proposed  to  the  Livery  by  the  Lord  Mayor.  We  proceeded  to 
the  Merchant  Taylors'  Hall,  where  we  found  sixteen  of  their 
members,  and  sixteen  of  the  Spectacle  makers,  besides  some 
few  friends  of  Mr  George  Carrol.  The  following  gentlemen 
were  also  present : — Barons  Lionel,  Nathaniel,  and  Anthony  de 
Rothschild,  Messrs  T.  A.  Curtis,  Benjamin  Cohen,  Isaac  Cohen, 
Solomon  Cohen,  S.  M.  Samuel,  John  Helbert,  and  M.  Davidson, 
the'  six  last  named  being  the  brothers  and  brothers-in-law  of 
my  dear  wife.  At  one  o'clock  we  went  in  grand  procession  to 
the  Guildhall,  accompanied  by  a  band  of  music.  At  two  we 
were  sworn  into  office,  and  about  three  I  returned  to  Park  Lane. 
I  changed  my  official  costume  for  plain  clothes,  and  went  at 
half-past  five  to  Cavendish  Square.  Mr  George  Carrol  then 
accompanied  me  to  the  London  Tavern,  and  we  dined  with  Sir 
James  Duke  and  Mr  Sheriff  Johnson." 

Monday,  2nd  October. — Mr  Montefiore  and  his  colleague  went 
to  Newgate.  In  the  afternoon  they  proceeded  to  Windsor,  and 
inscribed  their  names  in  the  Duchess  of  Kent's  visitors'  book. 
The  next  day  Mr  Montefiore  called  on  the  Lord  Mayor,  who 
introduced  him  to  Alderman  Cowan,  the  Lord  Mayor  elect ;  he 
also  attended  the  Hustings  at  the  Guildhall  in  his  violet  gown, 
the  Lord  Mayor  and  Mr  George  Carrol  being  present.  He 
afterwards  settled,  with  Messrs  Maynard,  Carrol,  and  Wire, 
the  toasts  and  the  grace  before  dinner,  and  proceeded  with 


1 1 6       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

these  gentlemen  to  the  Lord  Mayor  to  submit  them  for  his 
approval.  This  having  been  obtained,  he  went  to  the  Merchant 
Taylors'  Hall  to  see  that  the  arrangement  of  the  tables  was 
satisfactory. 

The  inauguration  dinner  of  the  new  Sheriffs  took  place  at 
the  Merchant  Taylors'  Hall  in  Threadneedle  Street.  The  num- 
ber of  guests  who  sat  down  to  dinner  was  not  less  than  four 
hundred ;  and  the  Lord  Mayor  presided.  After  the  cloth  was 
removed,  the  usual  toasts  were  proposed  by  the  Lord  Mayor, 
and  the  two  Sheriffs  returned  thanks,  each  in  a  separate  speech. 

Mr  Sheriff  Montefiore  said  :  "  My  Lord  Mayor,  my  Lords 
and  gentlemen,  if  I  consulted  my  own  feelings  of  diffidence  on 
this  occasion,  I  confess  I  should  have  remained  silent,  and  have 
allowed  my  friend  and  colleague  to  return  our  united  thanks  for 
the  honour  conferred  on  us  by  the  distinguished  company.  But 
as  custom  demands  that  I  should  say  a  few  words,  I  rise  to  ex- 
press briefly,  and  I  fear  imperfectly,  my  feelings  of  gratitude  for 
the  flattering  manner  in  which  my  health  has  been  proposed, 
and  the  warm  and  affectionate  greeting  with  which  it  has  been 
received.  New  to  the  high  and  important  office  I  have  been 
called  upon  by  the  kind  wishes  of  my  fellow-citizens  to  fill,  it 
will  readily  be  conceived  that  I  cannot  be  acquainted  with  all  its 
various  duties.  But  I  can  assure  you  it  shall  be  my  study  to- 
understand  their  nature,  and  my  earnest  endeavour  to  fulfil  them 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  justify  my  fellow-citizens  in  the  choice 
they  have  made.  Although  I  cannot  pretend  to  say  that  I  will 
do  what  your  late  Sheriffs  have  done,  still  less  to  surpass  them 
in  their  efforts  to  be  useful,  yet  I  hope,  so  far,  to  imitate  their 
example  as  to  show  my  anxiety  to  transmit  to  my  successors 
the  functions  of  my  office  unimpaired  in  their  usefulness,  and  its 
privileges  undiminished  in  their  value.  Believing  that  it  is  not 
a  political  office,  and  yet  that  it  has  duties  both  to  the  Queen  and 
to  the  public,  I  hope,  in  the  execution  of  those  duties,  to  swerve 
neither  to  the  right  nor  the  left,  but  on  the  one  hand  to  up- 
hold the  rightful  prerogatives  of  the  Crown,  and  on  the  other  to 
support  the  just  liberties  of  the  people.  Called  upon  by  the 
free,  intelligent,  and  wealthy  citizens  of  this  great  city  to  fill  so 
important  an  office,  I  trust  that  I  shall  never  be  found  wanting 
in  any  efforts  to  prove  that  the  great  privilege  of  electing  their 
own  Sheriffs  may  be  safely  entrusted  to  the  people.  May  I  add 


Inauguration  Dinner  of  new  Sheriffs.  1 1 7 

that  in  choosing  the  humble  individual  before  you  to  fill  so  im- 
portant an  office,  they  have  shown  that  private  character,  when 
based  on  integrity,  will  secure  public  honour  and  respect  ?  Nor 
is  it  less  gratifying  to  find  that,  though  professing  a  different 
faith  from  the  majority  of  my  fellow-citizens,  yet  this  has  pre- 
sented no  barrier  to  my  desire  of  being  useful  to  them  in  a  situ- 
ation to  which  my  forefathers  would  in  vain  have  aspired  ;  and  I 
hail  this  as  a  proof  that  those  prejudices  are  passing  away,  and 
will  pass  away,  which  prevent  our  feelings  from  being  as  widely 
social,  as  just,  as  comprehensive  in  their  effect  as  the  most 
amiable  and  best- instructed  mind  can  desire.  Nor  can  I  forget, 
while  alluding  to  kindly  feelings,  how  much  I  am  indebted  to 
those  friends  who,  unasked  and  unsolicited,  proposed  and  elected 
me  to  the  office  which  now  gives  me  the  opportunity  of  address- 
ing you.  To  them,  to  you,  to  the  Livery  at  large,  I  again  tender 
my  thanks,  and  I  beg  to  assure  you  that,  whatever  may  be 
necessary  to  enhance  the  high  respectability  of  my  office,  to 
support  its  splendour,  to  maintain  its  rights,  to  add  to  its  honour, 
and  to  make  it  more  useful  to  my  fellow-citizens — if  it  can  be 
made  more  useful — I  will  attempt,  and  with  your  countenance 
and  support,  I  trust,  accomplish.  Thus  acting,  I  shall  hope  to 
receive  the  only  reward  I  seek — the  thanks  of  my  fellow-citizens, 
and  the  approbation  of  my  own  conscience." 

The  Attorney-General  in  replying  to  the  toast,  "  The  health 
of  Her  Majesty's  Ministers,"  given  by  the  Lord  Mayor,  alluded 
to  Mr  Montefiore  in  the  following  words  : — "  There  could  be  no 
more  honourable  or  important  office  than  •  that  of  Sheriff,  and 
although  Mr  Montefiore  differed  in  faith  from  the  established 
religion,  there  could  be  no  doubt  that  he  would  discharge  the  duties 
which  devolved  on  him  with  equal  credit  to  himself  and  advan- 
tage to  the  city.  He  (the  Attorney-General)  was  one  of  those 
who  thought  that  the  only  qualification  which  should  exist  for 
such  offices  was  that  the  holder  should  be  a  good  citizen ;  and 
he  recollected  with  no  small  degree  of  satisfaction,  that  it  was  he 
who  had  brought  in  the  Bill,  a  measure  that  passed  through  the 
Legislature  by,  he  might  say,  the  unanimous  vote  of  both  Houses 
of  Parliament,  which  entitled  Mr  Montefiore  to  occupy  the  posi- 
tion he  then  held.  He  was  happy  to  say  that  the  ancient  pre- 
judices, founded  on  difference  of  religious  belie*,  were  fast  wearing 
away,  and  he  only  hoped  the  time  was  at  hand  when  objections 


1 1 8       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

on  such  grounds  would  altogether  cease  to  operate.  It  was  the 
desire  of  Her  Majesty's  Government  to  promote  such  a  state  of 
things  by  all  the  means  in  their  power ;  and  for  his  own  part, 
his  opinion  was  that,  so  far  from  injuring  the  Constitution,  it 
would  tend  materially  to  uphold  and  strengthen  it." 

Mr  and  Mrs  Montefiore  returned  to  Park  Lane  at  two  o'clock 
from  the  inauguration  dinner,  much  pleased  with  the  reception 
they  had  met  with  from  their  fellow-citizens. 


CHAPTER  XV. 
1837- 

DEATH  OF  MR  MONTEFIORE'S  UNCLE — MR  MONTEFIORE  RIDES 
IN  THE  LORD  MAYOR'S  PROCESSION — IS  KNIGHTED — HIS 
SPEECH  AT  THE  LORD  MAYOR'S  BANQUET— PRESENTS 
PETITION  ON  BEHALF  OF  THE  JEWS  TO  PARLIAMENT. 

WE  may  now  consider  Mr  Montefiore  as  almost  entirely 
occupied  with  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  office 
as  Sheriff.  We  shall  give  here  the  entries  he  made  referring 
to  the  subject,  some  of  which  are  particularly  interesting. 

From  the  following  entry  one  can  form  an  idea  of  the  way  in 
which  he  spent  his  days  during  his  year  of  office  : — 

"8.30  A.M.,  left  Park  Lane;  9  o'clock,  breakfasted  at  the 
Old  Bailey ;  10,  attended  the  Recorder  into  the  Court,  was  pre- 
sent at  a  meeting  of  the  subscribers  to  the  Sheriffs'  Fund,  met 
the  Lord  Mayor  at  the  Guildhall,  and  attended  the  Hustings. 
At  12.30  went  back  to  the  Old  Bailey,  had  lunch  there,  re-entered 
Court,  and  remained  there  till  near  five,  then  returned  to  Park 
Lane.  Accompanied  by  my  wife,  proceeded  at  6.30  to  the  Man- 
sion House,  where  we  dined  with  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Lady 
Mayoress,  and  a  very  large  and  elegant  party ;  had  music,  and 
singing  and  dancing ;  returned  home  at  one  o'clock." 

On  the  nth  of  October  Mr  Montefiore  in  his  turn  gave  a 
dinner  to  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Lady  Mayoress,  the  Sheriffs  and 
Aldermen  and  their  ladies,  after  which  Mrs  Montefiore  held  a 
reception,  which  was  followed  by  a  concert. 

The  next  day  he  went  to  Newgate,  and  saw  the  prisoners  who 
had  just  been  received.  He  went  through  the  male  and  female 
wards,  and  spoke  to  many  of  the  prisoners.  He  then  proceeded 
to  Whitecross  Prison,  and  gave  Mr  Barrett,  the  governor,  a  cheque 
for  £,20  for  distribution  among  such  cases  of  distress  as  he  thought 
most  deserving. 

There  are  entries  in  the  diary  which  show  that  on  many 


1 20       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

occasions  Mr  Montefiore  did  not  leave  the  Old  Bailey  before 
nine  o'clock  in  the  evening.  "  Sometimes,"  he  remarks,  "  the 
duties  of  Shrievalty  cause  me  much  trouble."  But  however 
numerous  or  onerous  his  duties  may  have  been,  they  never 
prevented  his  leaving  the  Old  Bailey  in  time  to  attend  Syna- 
gogue, on  the  eve  of  the  Sabbath  and  festivals,  the  Judges  in 
Court  always,  in  the  most  kind  manner,  giving  him  permission 
to  do  so. 

About  that  time  one  of  his  near  relatives  happening  to  be 
dangerously  ill,  he  more  than  once,  after  having  performed  the 
•daily  duties  of  his  office,  and  been  present  at  an  entertainment 
which  lasted  till  midnight  or  later,  instead  of  returning  home, 
proceeded  to  the  house  of  sickness,  where  he  watched  at  the 
bedside  of  the  patient  till  morning. 

On  Monday,  November  6th,  his  uncle  died.  "  I  have  always," 
Mr  Montefiore  said,  "regarded  him  as  a  second  father,  but  I 
must  not  grieve  at  his  being  taken  from  us,  for  he  is  gone  to 
receive  the  reward  of  a  well-spent  life  in  a  better  world  ;  very 
many  of  his  relatives  will  miss  his  kind  liberality."  Mr  Monte- 
•fiore  remained  with  the  family  that  day  for  a  considerable  time, 
but  had  afterwards  to  leave  them  to  attend  to  the  necessary  pre- 
parations for  the  important  day  of  the  Qth  of  November. 

If  the  many  thousands  of  spectators  who  fill  the  streets  and 
occupy  the  balconies  and  windows  on  Lord  Mayor's  day,  and 
witness  the  glorious  institutions  of  the  Livery  of  the  largest  and 
most  wealthy  city  of  the  world,  and  to  gaze  at  the  magnificent 
cavalcade  preceding  the  state  carriage  of  the  Lord  Mayor,  think 
that  the  Aldermen,  Sheriffs,  and  under-Sheriffs  have  but  to 
mount  their  chargers,  and  be  comfortably  seated  in  the  saddle, 
to  receive  the  shouts  of  approbation  from  the  multitude,  they  are 
in  error.  As  the  glorious  entry  of  a  victorious  army  on  its 
return  from  the  field  of  battle  requires  previous  organisation,  so 
as  to  ensure  the  perfect  regularity  of  the  marching  and  evolution 
of  each  respective  battalion,  even  thus  does  the  entry  into  the 
metropolis  of  the  assembly  of  citizens,  almost  equal  in  number 
to  a  powerful  army,  require  much  previous,  organisation. 

Mr  Montefiore,  in  order  to  prepare  himself  for  the  duties  he 
would  have  to  perform  at  the  forthcoming  procession,  went  to 
Davis'  riding  school,  where  he  met  the  Lord  Mayor  and  the 
Lord  Mayor  elect,  as  also  most  of  the  Aldermen,  Sheriffs,  and 


Death  of  Mr  Monte/lore's  Uncle.  1 2 1 

Court  of  Common  Council.  They  each  had  a  horse  appointed 
for  their  use.  A  troop  of  artillerymen,  with  their  horses,  headed 
by  Colonel  Jones,  were  also  present.  After  trying  the  horses 
they  went  through  the  plan  of  the  procession,  and  it  was  five 
o'clock  before  they  returned  home. 

On  November  ?th  he  called  at  the  Mansion  House,  attended 
the  Court  of  Hustings  in  the  Guildhall,  went  with  the  Lord 
Mayor,  the  Lord  Mayor  elect,  and  Mr  George  Carrol  to  the 
Entertainment  Committee,  and  then  to  Downing  Street  to  see 
the  Lord  Chancellor.  On  finding  him  absent  he  went  to  his 
house,  where  he  met  with  a  most  friendly  reception. 

In  the  evening  he  went  to  the  house  of  his  late  uncle. 
While  the  Lavadores  were  performing  their  mournful  duties,  he 
and  his  wife  read,  in  an  adjoining  room,  the  prayers  which  his 
lamented  uncle  had  selected  during  his  extreme  illness.  Greatly 
fatigued,  they  both  returned  to  Park  Lane,  with  the  intention  of 
retiring  to  rest.  They  had  scarcely  been  home  an  hour  when 
Mr  Mcntefiore's  colleague,  Mr  George  Carrol,  called.  The 
cause  of  his  coming  at  so  late  an  hour,  that  gentleman  said,  was 
his  desire  to  be  the  first  to  inform  him  that  Lord  John  Russell 
had  that  day  acquainted  the  City  Remembrancer  with  his  in- 
tention of  recommending  Her  Majesty  to  bestow  a  baronetcy 
on  the  Lord  Mayor,  and  to  confer  the  honour  of  knighthood  on 
the  Sheriffs.  "It  was  very  kind,"  Mr  Montefiore  said,  "of 
Carrol  to  come,  and  to  acquaint  me  with  the  pleasing  news,  for 
which  I  am  very  grateful  to  the  Almighty." 

On  Wednesday,  the  8th  November,  he  left  home  soon  after 
eight  in  the  morning,  and  was  at  the  Mansion  House  at  nine. 
It  was  half-past  when  the  Lord  Mayor  elect  made  his  appear- 
ance ;  there  was  a  large  party  assembled.  At  ten  they  set  out 
in  procession  for  the  Guildhall,  where  Alderman  Cowan  was 
sworn  into  office  ;  the  hall  was  very  full.  Mr  Montefiore  intro- 
duced Chevalier  Benthausen  and  two  Russian  noblemen  to  the 
Lord  Mayor,  and  then  left  the  hall.  He  then  went  to  the 
Alliance  Marine,  attended  the  Board  of  the  Alliance  Life  and 
Fire  Assurance  Company,  returned  to  the  Guildhall,  and  thence 
repaired  again  to  the  house  of  mourning,  to  attend  the  funeral 
of  his  late  uncle.  At  six  he  was  again  at  the  Mansion  House, 
to  be  present  at  the  farewell  dinner  of  the  retiring  Lord  Mayor. 
Many  Aldermen,  he  says,  were  present ;  also  the  companies  of 


122       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

the  two  Lord  Mayors.  At  half-past  nine  he  went  for  the  third 
time  to  the  mourners  to  read  prayers  with  them,  and  afterwards 
he  and  his  wife  took  up  their  quarters  for  the  night  at  their 
chambers  at  the  Marine  Office  in  the  city.  "  A  very  fatiguing 
day,"  he  says,  "  and  one  in  which  I  have  seen  the  last  of  a  dear 
and  near  relative.  I  hope  I  may  imitate  his  virtues." 

Thursday,  gt/i  of  November. — "  With  unspeakable  but  heart- 
felt gratitude  to  the  Almighty  God,"  he  writes,  "  I  note  the 
occurrences  of  the  day,  a  day  that  can  never  be  forgotten  by 
me ;  it  is  a  proud  one :  with  the  exception  of  the  day  I  had  the 
happiness  of  dedicating  our  Synagogue  at  Ramsgate,  and  the 
day  of  my  wedding,  the  proudest  day  of  my  life.  I  trust  the 
honour  conferred  by  our  most  gracious  Queen  on  myself  and 
my  dear  Judith  may  prove  the  harbinger  of  future  good  to  the 
Jews  generally,  and  though  I  am  sensible  of  my  unworthiness, 
yet  I  pray  the  Almighty  to  lead  and  guide  me  in  the  proper 
path,  that  I  may  observe  and  keep  His  Holy  Law. 

"At  half-past  eight ^ I  went  to  the  Mansion  House,  at  nine 
set  off  in  grand  procession  to  London  Bridge ;  there  I  embarked 
with  the  Lord  Mayor,  &c.,  for  Westminster.  The  new  Lord 
Mayor  was  presented  to  the  Judges  in  several  Courts.  We 
then  returned  the  same  way  to  the  Mansion  House.  I  went  to- 
the  Marine.  My  dear  Judith  was  beautifully  dressed,  but  very 
unwell.  We  went  to  the  Mansion  House,  and  soon  left  there  in 
procession.  Our  state  carriage  being  in  advance,  I  got  out  at 
Temple  Bar,  and  the  carriage  went  on  with  Judith  to  the 
Guildhall.  I  mounted  on  horseback,  with  my  brother  Sheriffs, 
some  Aldermen,  and  Members  of  the  Common  Council.  After 
many  of  the  Royal  carriages  had  passed,  we  set  forward  two 
and  two  before  the  Queen.  On  her  arrival  in  the  hall  she 
reposed  herself  for  some  time.  The  Recorder  then  read  the 
address,  to  which  she  replied.  The  Lord  Mayor  was  intro- 
duced, and  made  a  Baronet ;  the  Aldermen  were  introduced, 
and  then  the  Sheriffs  were  knighted,  first  George  Carrol.  On 
my  kneeling  to  the  Queen,  she  placed  a  sword  on  my  left 
shoulder  and  said,  '  Rise,  Sir  Moses.'  I  cannot  express  all  I 
felt  on  this  occasion.  I  had,  besides,  the  pleasure  of  seeing  my 
banner  with  'Jerusalem'  floating  proudly  in  the  hall.  I  hope 
my  dear  mother  will  be  pleased.  The  entertainment  was  most 
magnificent,  but  my  poor  wife  dreadfully  ill." 


Receives  the  Honour  of  Knighthood.  123 

Friday,  November  \oth.— The  new  knight,  now  Sir  Moses, 
proceeded  to  Buckingham  Palace  to  enter  his  name  in  the 
Duchess  of  Kent's  visiting-book.  On  his  return  he  received 
numerous  visits  of  congratulation.  He  then  went  to  the  house 
of  the  mourners  in  the  city,  and  also  visited  his  mother. 

Saturday,  November  nth. — Although  Sir  Moses  might  have 
gone  on  that  day  to  a  place  of  worship  near  Park  Lane,  he  pre- 
ferred walking  to  the  city  on  the  first  Sabbath  after  the  honour 
of  knighthood  had  been  conferred  upon  him,  to  return  thanks  to 
the  Almighty  in  the  ancient  Spanish  and  Portuguese  Synagogue 
in  Bevis  Marks,  a  structure  which  commemorates  the  first  step 
towards  religious  liberty  in  England,  and  which  had  from  his 
earliest  days  been  an  object  of  love  and  veneration  to  him. 
He  started  from  home  early  in  the  morning,  and  joined  the  con- 
gregation before  nine  o'clock. 

After  service  he  attended  an  entertainment  given  by  one  of 
his  friends  on  the  occasion  of  his  son  attaining  his  thirteenth  year 
(the  age  which  constitutes  religious  majority).  The  remainder 
of  the  day  he  passed  in  visiting  his  relatives,  and  again  attending 
the  Synagogue  to  join  in  prayers  with  the  mourners. 

On  Sunday,  November  I2th,  he  went  to  Newgate,  where  he 
found  all  well  ;  his  colleagues  had  already  been  there  three 
hours.  He  then  went  to  the  residences  of  the  Duke  of  Cam- 
bridge, the  Princess  Sophia  Matilda,  the  Duchess  of  Gloucester, 
the  Duke  of  Sussex,  the  Princess  Sophia,  and  Princess  Augusta, 
and  entered  his  and  Lady  Montefiore's  names  in  their  visitors' 
books.  On  his  return  to  Park  Lane  he  dined  with  his  wife,  and 
spent  a  pleasant  evening  in  reading  and  writing.  "  One  of  our 
old-fashioned  happy  East  Cliff  evenings,"  he  says. 

On  Monday,  November  1 3th,- he  attended  the  general  meet- 
ings of  some  of  his  companies,  and  in  the  evening  dined  with 
the  directors  of  the  Imperial  Continental  Gas  Association.  The 
next  day  he  was  actively  engaged  in  performing  the  duties  of 
his  office,  attending  the  Lord  Mayor  at  the  Court  of  Hustings, 
and  afterwards  making  arrangements  with  his  under-Sheriff  re- 
specting the  invitations  for  the  dinner  on  the  i6th  inst  Having 
sent  fifty  invitations,  and  received  but  twenty-eight  tickets,  "  I 
passed  the  whole  day,"  he  says,  "  in  a  state  of  much  anxiety  as 
to  the  best  mode  of  acting.  At  last  I  have  determined  to  seat 
the  ladies,  and  send  the  gentlemen  tickets  for  the  Council 


124       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  IWontefiore. 

Chamber,  should  they  be  unable  to  find  seats  in  the  hall.  I 
most  sincerely  hope  I  may  give  no  offence,  as  I  am  sure  none 
was  intended  ;  my  desire  to  oblige  the  family  has  brought  me 
into  this  dilemma." 

On  Thursday,  the  i6th  of  November,  Sir  Moses  walked  to 
the  city  in  the  morning,  called  at  the  Alliance,  Guildhall,  and 
Mansion  House,  returning  home  at  two  o'clock.  A  few  minutes 
before  four,  he  and  Lady  Montefiore  started  in  their  state 
carriage,  with  the  servants  in  full  livery,  for  the  Guildhall. 
"  We  called,"  he  says,  "  at  Cavendish  Square,  and  followed  Sir 
George  and  Lady  Carrol  in  their  state  carriage  to  the  Guildhall. 
At  five  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Lady  Mayoress  made  their  appear- 
ance long  after  many  of  Her  Majesty's  Ministers  had  arrived. 
We  sat  down  to  dinner  soon  after  six.  The  hall  presented  a 
splendid  appearance ;  there  were  between  eleven  and  twelve 
hundred  present,  including  nearly  all  the  Ambassadors,  Ministers, 
and  Judges." 

The  health  of  the  Sheriffs  was  not  drunk  till  long  after  the 
ladies  had  left  the  table.  Each  of  them  returned  thanks,  Sir 
Moses  doing  so  in  the  following  words  : — 

"  My  excellent  friend  and  colleague  has  so  fully  expressed 
my  sentiments  and  feelings,  that  I  ought,  perhaps,  to  apologise  for 
trespassing  on  your  attention,  but  as  this  is  the  first  time  I  have 
had  the  honour  of  addressing  so  large  an  assembly  of  distin- 
guished guests  and  of  my  fellow-citizens,  I  cannot  resist  the 
temptation  of  offering  you  my  congratulations  on  the  auspicious 
event  which  has  distinguished  the  commencement  of  our  year  of 
office.  The  recent  visit  of  our  most  gracious  Queen  to  this 
ancient  hall,  the  kindness  which  induced  Her  Majesty  to  present 
herself,  at  the  earliest  possible  period,  to  her  faithful  subjects  of 
this  great  and  opulent  city,  must  have  made  a  deep  impression 
on  every  heart,  must  have  strongly  rooted  the  feelings  of 
loyalty  with  which  Britons  naturally  regard  their  sovereign  ; 
and,  if  I  may  judge  of  others  by  myself,  must  have  awed  all 
emotions  save  those  of  fervent  hope  and  prayer,  that  the  reign 
of  our  now  youthful  Queen  may  be  long  and  peaceful,  and  that 
her  greatest  glories  may  be  connected  with  the  universal  educa- 
tion of  her  subjects,  the  diffusion  01  the  most  comprehensive 
principles  of  benevolence,  charity,  and  love — principles  which 
shall  unite  all  in  a  desire  to  accomplish  the  proud  wish  that 


Speech  at  Lord  Mayor  s  Banquet.  125 

England  may  possess  and  exercise  the  great  prerogative  of 
teaching  other  nations  how  to  live.  What  we  have  seen  is  a 
proof,  in  my  opinion,  that  we  are  fairly  on  our  way  to  the  full 
completion  of  the  wish  :  for  do  not  the  recent  events  demonstrate 
to  us,  and  will  they  not  demonstrate  far  beyond  the  precincts  of 
our  city,  that  the  purest  freedom,  and  the  warmest  attachment 
to  religion,  may  co-exist,  and  may  safely  co-exist,  with  the  forms 
of  monarchy  and  with  feelings  of  affection  to  the  sovereign, 
especially  when  that  sovereign  evinces  the  dispositions  which 
we  all  recognise  in  our  amiable,  youthful,  and  illustrious  Queen  ? 
Let,  then,  other  countries  boast  of  natural  advantages,  denied 
perhaps  to  ours,  let  our  pride  be  in  our  civil  advantages,  in  the 
security  of  our  person  and  property,  under  a  system  of  law  and 
government  which,  whatever  be  its  defects—:  id  what  is  perfect 
on  earth  ? — is  at  least  as  near  to  perfection  as  any  government 
that  has  existed,  or  does  now  exist.  But  I  am  carried  away  by 
my  feelings  from  the  main  object  I  had  in  view  in  rising  to 
address  you.  That  object  was  to  tender  you  my  thanks,  warm 
from  the  heart,  for  the  honour  you  have  conferred  on  myself  and 
colleague.  I  can  sincerely  say  that  the  kindness  of  our  fellow- 
citizens  is  a  full  reward  for  the  performance  of  our  duties,  and 
will  be  a  full  inducement  to  devote  ourselves  cheerfully  to  the 
service  of  those  who,  unasked,  have  placed  us  in  a  position  of  so 
much  trust  and  honour.  We  feel  satisfied  that  in  the  perform- 
ance of  our  duties  we  shall  not  betray  the  trust  reposed  in  us, 
nor  tarnish  the  honour  of  the  Corporation.  No ;  it  will  be  our 
pride  and  pleasure  to  enhance  the  dignity  of  our  office,  in  or.'^r 
that  the  distinction  it  confers  may  be  more  and  more  an  object 
of  laudable  ambition  to  the  most  worthy  and  opulent  of  our 
fellow-citizens.  Connected  with  the  Corporation  by  high  office, 
I  feel  a  deep  interest  in  its  prosperity ;  and  I  pray  that  it  may 
long  exist  to  prove  that  popular  corporate  institutions  are  a 
bulwark  to  the  throne,  while  they  offer  to  the  people  a  security 
for  the  preservation  of  their  laws,  and  pure  administration  of 
justice." 

Sir  Moses  was  much  pleased  with  the  manifest  approbation  of 
the  sentiments  he  expressed.  "  Lord  Glenelg,"  he  says,  "  spoke 
in  a  very  friendly  manner  with  me,  as  did  the  Lord  Lieutenant 
of  Ireland.  The  Vice-Chancellor  also  made  a  very  complimen- 
tary speech,  saying  he  hoped  to  see  me  enjoy  high  city  honours." 


1 26       Diaries  rf  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiorr. 

Most  of  the  time  of  Sir  Moses  was  now  occupied  in  the 
discharge  of  the  duties  imposed  on  him  by  his  office,  which 
included  his  attendance  at  numerous  meetings,  dinners,  and 
balls.  Some  of  them  are  recorded  in  the  diary.  In  making  an 
entry  of  the  Polish  ball,  which  took  place  on  the  2ist  of  Novem- 
ber, he  says :  "  We  left  home  at  nine  o'clock,  and  got  to  the 
Guildhall  with  great  care  between  eleven  and  twelve.  The 
hall  was  crowded,  and  presented  a  splendid  appearance.  There 
were  above  2500  people  present,  including  the  Lord  Mayor,  the 
Duke  and  Duchess  of  Somerset,  Miss  Burdett-Coutts,  Mr  P.  M. 
Stewart,  Lord  Dudley  Coutts  Stewart,  &c.  All  were  most 
friendly.  In  consequence  of  the  absence  of  the  Lady  Mayoress, 
Lady  Carrol  and  my  wife  did  the  honours.  It  was  quite  a  fairy 
scene;  I  never  saw  anything  like  it  before,  and  I  daresay  it  will 
be  some  time  before  we  again  witness  so  brilliant  an  assembly. 
Before  the  hall  became  crowded,  I  was  much  pleased  with  the 
effect  of  my  crest  and  arms,  which  had  been  chalked  in  colours 
on  the  floor,  the  crest  with  the  word  'Jerusalem'  in  Hebrew 
being  nearest  the  throne." 

From  the  hall  of  splendour  our  attention  is  directed  to  the 
home  of  misery.  We  find  him  next  visiting  the  Whitecross 
Street  Prison.  "  I  went,"  he  says,  "over  the  whole  building,  and 
found  428  unfortunate  individuals  confined  within  its  walls. 
The  men's  wards  were  very  unclean,  but  the  women's  extremely 
clean  ;  there  were  only  twenty-four  females.  The  day  rooms 
of  the  male  prisoners  were  crowded  with  visitors.  The  prisoners 
were  in  good  health,  not  more  than  seventeen  in  the  infirmary, 
and  all  only  slight  cases  of  cold." 

On  Monday,  the  2;th  of  November,  he  went  at  half-past  eight 
in  his  state  carriage  to  the  Mansion  House,  and  at  9.30  he  and 
his  colleague  accompanied  the  Lord  Mayor,  in  grand  state,  to  open 
the  first  session  in  his  Lordship's  mayoralty  at  the  Old  Bailey. 

On  the  29th  he  attended  a  meeting  of  the  Deputies  of  British 
Jews,  and  a  sub-committee  was  appointed  to  endeavour  to  get 
Mr  Baines — the  originator  of  a  Bill  for  the  purpose  of  altering 
the  .declaration  contained  in  the  Act  9  George  IV.,  cap.  17,  to 
be  made  by  persons  on  their  admission  to  municipal  offices — 
to  obtain  an  extension  of  its  provisions  to  the  Jews.  The 
Bill,  as  it  then  stood,  limited  the  indulgence  to  Quakers  and 
Moravians. 


Presents  Petition  to  Parliament  on  behalf  of  Jews.    127 

When,  on  the  following  day,  the  Lord  Mayor,  accompanied 
by  the  Sheriffs,  attended  the  meeting  of  the  first  Common 
Council,  Mr  David  Salamons  presented  a  petition,  calling  on  the 
Court  to  petition  both  the  Houses  of  Parliament  to  amend  Mr 
Baines'  Bill.  "  Charles  Pearson,"  Sir  Moses  says,  "  proposed  the 
motion,  which  was  carried  unanimously." 

On  the  3rd  of  December,  Sir  Moses  was  particularly  requested 
by  Mr  David  Salamons,  to  go  with  him  to  H.R.H.  the  Duke 
of  Sussex,  to  inform  him  of  their  intentions  respecting  Mr 
Baines'  Bill,  but  His  Royal  Highness  was  not  well  enough 
to  see  them.  On  the  same  day,  Barons  Lionel  and  Nathaniel 
Rothschild  called  on  Sir  Moses,  to  say  that  Sir  Robert  Peel  had 
appointed  the  following  Monday  to  see  a  deputation  of  the 
Jews. 

In  accordance  with  that  appointment  they  called,  with  Mr 
David  Salamons,  on  Sir  Moses,  the  next  day  at  the  Old  Bailey, 
and  requested  him  to  go  with  them  to  Sir  Robert  Peel  ;  but,  as 
it  was  expected  that  the  Recorder  would  pass  the  sentences  at 
twelve,  he  could  not  leave  the  Courts.  The  Recorder,  however, 
did  not  make  his  appearance  till  three  o'clock,  and  then  made 
great  difficulty  before  permitting  him  and  Sir  George  Carrol  to 
go  to  the  House  of  Commons  with  the  petition,  positively 
refusing  to  allow  their  under-Sheriffs  to  accompany  them,  under 
the  penalty  of  a  fine.  At  about  five  o'clock  Sir  Moses  and  Sir 
George  Carrol  proceeded  in  their  state  carriages  with  their 
servants  to  the  Guildhall  for  the  Remembrancer,  who  went 
with  them  to  the  House  of  Commons  with  the  three  petitions. 

On  entering  the  House,  led  by  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  with  the 
Mace,  the  Speaker  said :  "  Sir  George  Carrol  and  Sir  Moses 
Montefiore,  what  have  you  there  ?  "  "  A  petition  from  the  Lord 
Mayor  and  Common  Council  to  the  Honourable  House,"  replied 
Sir  George.  "You  may  withdraw,"  returned  the  Speaker. 
They  then  withdrew  in  the  same  manner  as  they  had  advanced, 
bowing  three  times.  They  took  their  seats  under  the  gallery, 
and  listened  to  the  debate  on  Mr  Baines'  Bill.  "  I  very  much 
regret,"  Sir  Moses  says,  "that  we,  the  Jews,  allowed  the  House 
to  divide." 

A  week  later,  on  December  loth,  after  having  gone  over  every 
part  of  Newgate  Prison,  and  spoken  with  the  prisoners,  both 
male  and  female,  he  called,  on  his  way  back  to  Park  Lane,  on 


128       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

Dr  Sims  at  Cavendish  Square,  to  inform  him  that  Lord  John 
Russell  would  see  that  the  Jews  were  relieved  from  the  effect  of 
the  resolution  passed  by  the  London  University,  as  to  the 
examination  of  candidates  for  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts, 
&c.  He  then  accompanied  Messrs  Isaac  Cohen  and  David 
Salamons  to  Kensington. 

The  Duke  of  Sussex  saw  them  immediately,  and  was  most 
kind.  He  approved  of  the  Jews  getting  a  Bill  into  the  House 
of  Commons  to  relieve  them  from  the  declaration  on  taking 
municipal  offices,  but  not  before  the  Bill  relieving  the  Quakers 
had  passed  the  Lords. 

On  Sunday,  i/th  December,  he  wrote  a  letter  to  Lord 
Melbourne  to  solicit  the  honour  of  an  interview,  previously  to 
the  Municipal  Corporation  Declaration  Bill  going  into  Com- 
mittee. In  the  course  of  an  hour  his  Lordship  sent  him  a  note 
in  his  own  handwriting,  saying  he  would  be  glad  to  see  him  the 
next  day  at  half-past  three,  at  Downing  Street.  Sir  Moses 
immediately  communicated  with  Messrs  David  Salamons  and 
I.  L.  Goldsmid,  and  requested  them  to  accompany  him  there  on 
the  following  day. 

Agreeably  to  this  intimation  they  were  at  the  appointed 
time  in  Downing  Street.  Lord  Melbourne  received  them  at 
once,  the  Marquis  of  Lansdowne  being  with  him.  Both  of  them, 
Sir  Moses  says,  were  very  polite,  but  gave  them  to  understand 
that  they  could  not  include  the  Jews  in  the  present  Bill,  as  they 
would  not  be  able  to  carry  it  through  the  Lords. 

On  the  same  day  he  was  officially  informed  of  his  having 
been  elected  President  for  the  year  of  the  Jews'  Free  School,  but 
the  duties  of  the  Shrievalty  prevented  his  accepting  the  honour. 
After  calling  at  Newgate  and,  Whitecross  Street  Prison,  and 
speaking  to  all  the  prisoners,  he  attended  at  Doctors  Commons 
to  administer  the  will  of  his  late  uncle. 

On  December  ipth  he  wrote  a  letter  to  Mr  Alteston,  Master 
of  the  Merchant  Taylors'  Company,  offering  to  give  ^50  as  a 
prize  to  the  best  Hebrew  scholar  in  the  Company's  schools,  as  a 
token  of  his  appreciation  of  the  benevolence  of  the  Company. 

The  diary  of  the  year  1837  concludes  with  an  entry  referring 
to  a  banquet  given  at  the  London  Coffee  House  by  the  Com- 
mercial Travellers'  Society,  under  the  presidency  of  Sir  Chapman 
Marshall,  at  which  Sir  Moses  was  present.  Two  hundred  per- 


Narrow  Escape  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore.      1 29 

sons  sat  down  to  table,  among  whom  £  1 200  was  collected  for 
the  benefit  of  the  institution.  This  entry  is  followed  by  an 
account  of  a  narrow  escape  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 
"  We  have  been  much  alarmed,"  he  writes,  "  by  some  person 
firing  a  pistol  at  us,  near  Welling,  on  the  road  from  Rochester 
to  London  ;  happily  it  missed  both  horses  and  carriage ;  the 
postboy  was  much  frightened." 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
1838. 

DESTRUCTION  OF  THE  ROYAL  EXCHANGE— CITY  TRADITIONS- - 
"JEWS'  WALK"— SIR  MOSES  DINES  AT  LAMBETH  PALACE. 

THE  diary  of  1838,  like  that  of  the  preceding  year,  abounds 
in  descriptions  of  Sir  Moses'  official  duties,  as  well  as 
records  of  events. 

January  \\tJi. — Early  in  the  morning,  before  he  was  dressed, 
Sir  Moses  was  informed  that  the  Royal  Exchange  had  been 
burnt  down  in  the  night.  He  at  once  rode  to  the  Alliance,  and 
found  the  news  true  ;  only  the  walls  of  the  Exchange  were  still 
standing.  "  I  called  at  the  Mansion  House,"  he  says,  "  and 
accompanied  a  deputation  of  the  Gresham  Company  to  see  the 
ruins ;  the  loss  of  books,  papers,  and  securities  is  said  to  be 
immense.  In  the  evening  I  repaired  again  to  the  Mansion 
House  to  attend  a  Court  of  Aldermen,  which  sat  till  after  ten. 
It  was  a  full  meeting ;  the  Town  Clerk  and  all  the  Law  Officers 
of  the  city  were  present.  There  were  long  and  grave  discussions 
respecting  the  making  of  a  new  city  seal,  the  old  one,  as  it 
was  thought,  having  been  destroyed  in  the  fire  at  the  Royal 
Exchange." 

On  January  I4th  he  was  present  at  a  meeting  of  the  Elders 
of  his  community  at  Bevis  Marks.  The  resignation  of  the 
Deputies  was  received,  and  a  resolution  passed,  that  "  for  the 
future  Deputies  be  elected  by  the  Elders  and  seat-holders,  gene- 
rally known  by  the  appellation  of  '  Yehidim,'  and  out  of  either 
body."  After  the  meeting  he  called  at  Newgate,  and  went  over 
the  female  wards  and  the  infirmary. 

It  may  interest  some  of  my  readers  to  hear  that  the  ancient 
custom  of  presenting  each  of  the  Sheriffs  with  three  does  by  the 
Crown  is  still  kept  up.  When  Sir  Moses  was  told  that  those 
intended  for  him  were  at  Richmond,  he  sent  a  person  (autho- 
rised by  the  Ecclesiastical  Board)  to  kill  the  does  in  accordance 


Sir  Moses1  Multifarious  Duties.  131 

with  the  Jewish  custom,  and  then  distribute  them   among  his 
friends. 

He  attended  the  first  dinner  given  by  the  new  Lord  Mayor 
at  the  Mansion  House  on  the  i6th.  The  next  day  he  dined  at 
the  London  Tavern  with  the  City  Committee  for  General 
Purposes,  and  in  the  evening  was  present  at  a  ball  for  the 
benefit  of  the  Watch  and  Clock  Makers'  Institution.  On  the 
I9th,  Sir  Moses,  in  his  turn,  gave  a  dinner  to  the  Vice-Chancellor, 
and  there  were  also  present,  Sir  L.  Shadwell  and  Lady  Shadwell, 
the  Common  Sergeant  and  his  wife,  Sir  John  Conroy  and  his 
daughters,  Mr  J.  A.  Curtis  and  his  daughters,  the  Baron  and 
Baroness  de  Rothschild,  Baron  Nathaniel  and  Baroness  Louisa 
de  Rothschild,  and  many  other  guests  of  distinction. 

The  following  extracts  from  the  diaries  show  the  nature  of 
Sir  Moses'  multifarious  duties  at  this  time  :— 

"  February  2nd. — Was  sworn  in  as  Commissioner  of  the  Lon- 
don Lieutenancy,  consisting  mostly  of  the  Court  of  Aldermen 
and  their  deputies,  the  Directors  of  the  Bank  of  England  and  of 
the  East  India  Company. 

"  February  ^th. — Proceeded  with  my  colleague,  the  City  Re- 
membrancer, and  Alderman  Venables  to  the  House  of  Commons, 
to  present  two  petitions  ;  one  respecting  the  night  watch,  and  the 
other  respecting  a  new  street  from  Farringdon  Street. 

"February  6th. — Attended  the  meeting  of  the  sub-committees 
of  the  several  Synagogues  at  7  P.M.  It  was  within  a  few  minutes 
of  twelve  when  the  meeting  broke  up. 

"February  \^th. — Attended  the  Queen's  levee.  Was  pre- 
sented to  Her  Majesty  by  Lord  John  Russell,  and  had  the 
honour  of  kissing  hands,  after  which  I  drove  to  my  mother,  that 
she  might  see  the  state  carriage  and  liveries. 

"February  \6th. — Present  at  the  Court  of  Common  Council, 
where  they  voted  the  freedom  of  the  City  of  London  to  Mr 
Stephenson,  the  American  Minister,  to  be  presented  tahim  in  a 
gold  box  of  the  value  of  100  guineas.  The  following  evening  I 
went  to  Kensington  Palace  to  a  soiree  given  by  the  Duke  of 
Sussex  to  the  members  of  the  Royal  Society.  The  rooms  were 
crowded.  Spoke  with  a  great  many  persons  I  knew,  Mr  Spring- 
Rice,  the  Dean  of  Chester,  and  others." 

February  22nd.—  On  the  occasion  of  the  funeral  of  a  friend 
which  he  attended,  Sir  Moses  observes  :  "  It  was  a  funeral  such 


1  ^2 


Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 


as  I  much  approve.  I  think  no  funeral  should  have  more  than 
eight  mourning  coaches,  and  the  coachmen  should  wear  neither 
cloaks  nor  bands ;  in  fact,  in  my  opinion,  the  less  pomp  on  such 
an  occasion  the  better."  In  the  evening  he  dined  at  the  London 
Orphan  Society  ;  "  took  my  own  cold  beef,"  he  says.  The  Duke 
of  Cambridge  presided.  The  collection  amounted  to  £1960. 

February  2jth. — After  having  been  occupied  all  day  with 
the  duties  of  his  office,  he  went  in  the  evening  to  a  meeting  of 
Conference  of  all  the  Synagogues,  to  consider  the  subject  of  the 
constitution  of  the  new  Board  of  Deputies.  "  There  was  a  full 
meeting,"  he  says,  "  and  we  remained  in  debate  till  after  eleven 
o'clock.  The  conference  was  carried  on  in  the  most  friendly 
manner  ;  and,  with  some  alterations,  the  resolutions  of  the  Great 
Synagogue  were  agreed  to." 

I  give  these  entries  referring  to  the  Board  of  Deputies  in  the 
interest  of  those  of  my  readers  of  the  Hebrew  community  in 
England  who  may  wish  to  trace  the  development  and  progress 
of  that  institution. 

The  1 3th  of  March  is  a  day  which  will  be  remembered  with 
much  gratification  by  the  promoters  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty.  The  occurrence  noted  in  the  diary  will  always  remind 
them  of  the  lesson,  never  to  neglect  an  opportunity  of  serving  a 
good  cause  when  it  presents  itself. 

When  returning,  in  company  with  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Sir 
George  Carrol,  from  the  Court  of  Hustings  to  the  place  where 
the  words  "Jews'  Walk"  were  written  up,  Sir  Moses  mentioned 
to  the  Lord  Mayor  that  many  persons  had  complained  that,  in 
these  enlightened  times,  the  walls  of  the  Guildhall  should  be 
disgraced  by  such  a  mark  of  intolerance  as  the  tablet  bearing 
the  above  inscription.  The  Lord  Mayor  very  kindly  ordered  it 
to  be  taken  down  immediately.  The  same  tablet  was  subse- 
quently given  to  Sir  Moses  by  the  Lord  Mayor,  and  is  now  pre- 
served in  Lady  Montefiore's  Theological  College  in  Ramsgate 
as  a  souvenir  of  bygone  times. 

March  i6th  records  an  instance  of  the  danger  to  which,  as 
Sheriff,  he  was  sometimes  exposed  in  the  discharge  of  his  official 
duties,  as  also  his  sympathy  with  others  who  equally  endangered 
their  lives  in  the  service  of  the  Livery.  Sir  Moses  attended  on 
that  day  a  Committee  of  Criminal  Justice,  and  accompanied 
them  all  over  the  gaol ;  later  he  and  his  colleague  had  to  be 


Visit  to  Smithambottom.  133 

present  at  the  inquest  on  a  prisoner  who  had  died  of  fever.  "  I 
am  sorry  to  say,"  he  remarks,  "that  something  like  typhoid 
fever  is  prevailing  in  the  prison  ;  the  matrons  and  turnkeys  are 
greatly  alarmed."  On  his  return  home  he  sent  a  dozen  of  port 
to  the  keeper  of  Newgate  and  a  dozen  to  the  matron. 

Wishing  for  a  day's  repose,  he  and  Lady  Montefiore  repaired 
to  their  favourite  spot,  Smithambottom.  "The  appearance  of 
the  Red  Lion  "  (the  inn  in  which  they  usually  took  up  their 
abode),  he  says,  "  we  found  much  altered  for  the  worse.  The 
house,  its  inmates,  and  furniture,  all  wear  a  decayed  look ;  they 
have  very  little  custom  there.  Caroline  Paget,  daughter  of 
Pearce  the  landlord,  having  heard  of  our  arrival,  came  imme- 
diately to  see  us.  She  is  also  much  altered  ;  time,  poverty,  and 
care  have  made  sad  havoc  with  her  appearance.  Fourteen 
years  have  passed  since  we  were  last  in  Pearce's  house,  and  we 
viewed  the  place  with  mingled  feelings  of  pleasure  and  pain.  In 
spite  of  the  gloom  of  the  house,  I  dearly  like  the  place,  and  shall 
be  most  grateful  to  Providence  to  be  permitted  the  enjoyment  of 
frequent  walks  over  the  Downs.  But  we  must  see  what  we  can 
do  for  the  Pearces." 

He  assisted  both  father  and  daughter  by  providing  for  their 
immediate  wants,  and,  on  his  return  to  town,  procured,  not 
without  great  personal  exertion,  a  presentation  to  the  Blue  Coat 
School  for  Caroline  Paget's  daughter. 

As  President  of  the  Jews'  Free  School,  Sir  Moses  took  the 
chair  at  a  dinner  given  at  the  London  Tavern  in  aid  of  that 
Institution. 

He  was  supported  on  his  right  and  left  by  Sir  George 
Carrol,  Mr  T.  A.  Curtis,  the  Governor  of  the  Bank  ;  Mr  M. 
Attwood,  M.P.;  Mr  David  Salamons,  Mr  Jno.  Alteston,  Mr 
Edward  Fletcher,  Mr  T.  M.  Pearce,  Mr  Aston  Key,  Mr  Nugent 
Daniel,  Mr  F.  H.  Goldsmid,  Mr  B.  Cohen,  Mr  Isaac  Cohen,  Mr 
Under- Sheriff  Wire,  and  a  large  company  of  friends.  Some 
excellent  addresses  were  delivered  by  Sir  Moses  and  others  of 
the  gentlemen  present.  In  the  entry  he  made  of  the  proceed- 
ings, he  observes,  "  I  did  my  best,  and  had  the  pleasure  to  find 
the  company  was  satisfied,  for  ^841  was  collected." 

It  was  nearly  twelve  when  he  left  the  London  Tavern  in 
company  with  Sir  George  Carrol,  and  went  to  Hanover  Square 
Rooms,  where  they  met  their  ladies  at  the  Polish  ball. 


1 34       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

On  the  3rd  of  April  he  was  summoned  to  the  Guildhall  to  a 
Court  of  Lieutenancy  to  take  the  oath  and  subscribe  to  the  De- 
claration ;  but  he  could  not  do  so,  and  therefore  did  not  attend. 

In  the  evening  he  was  present  at  the  Conference  of  the 
Deputies  from  all  the  Synagogues,  who,  he  says,  would  not 
a^ree  to  reconsider  their  former  resolution. 

o 

On  April  4th  Lady  Montefiore  had  a  narrow  escape  from 
what  might  have  proved  a  most  serious  accident.  She  had  pro- 
mised to  dine  with  her  sister,  Mrs  Hannah  de  Rothschild  (Sir 
Moses,  owing  to  his  official  duties,  was  unable  to  accompany  her). 
While  driving  to  Piccadilly  the  horses  took  fright,  broke  the  pole 
and  harness,  and  much  injured  the  carriage.  Fortunately  no 
one  was  hurt. 

The  next  day  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  attended  the 
Queen's  Drawing- Room,  accompanied  by  Sir  George  and  Lady 
Carrol,  Mr  and  Mrs  Maynard,  and  Mr  and  Mrs  Wire,  all  in 
their  state  carriages.  The  ladies  of  the  party  were  presented  by 
the  Marchioness  of  Lansdowne.  The  Queen  and  the  Duchess 
.of  Kent  were  most  gracious  to  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

On  April  pth  he  writes  :  "  I  was  at  the  Old  Bailey  at  8.30, 
and  breakfasted  at  nine  ;  attended  the  Common-Sergeant  into  the 
New  Court ;  at  ten  I  attended  the  Chief-Justice  Tindall  to  the 
Old  Court.  The  Common-Sergeant  having  left  the  New  Court, 
I  accompanied  Baron  Parke  into  it.  Being  the  eve  of  Passover, 
I  had  to  my  regret  to  leave  the  Old  Bailey  at  five  o'clock.  It 
caused  great  inconvenience,  there  being  a  judge  in  each  Court, 
and  most  important  trials  being  on,  not  likely  to  be  finished 
before  to-morrow  evening." 

It  was  the  duty  of  the  Sheriffs  to  attend  on  the  following  day, 
first  at  the  Old  Bailey,  then  on  the  Lord  Mayor  in  state  at  the 
Court  of  Aldermen,  to  witness  the  swearing  in  of  the  new 
Alderman  (Magnay),  then  to  accompany  him  in  state  to  the 
Mansion  House  to  dine  with  his  Lordship  and  a  large  party. 

On  the  following  Monday  and  Tuesday  he  had  again  to 
attend  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Lady  Mayoress  in  state  to  receive 
the  Blue  Coat  boys  at  the  Mansion  House,  then  to  be  present  at 
a  sermon  at  the  Hospital,  and  to  return  and  dine  with  the  Lord 
Mayor,  the  Aldermen,  &c.,  it  being  Easter  Monday,  a  public 
day.  They  were  also  expected  on  the  following  morning  again 
to  breakfast  at  the  Mansion  House.  Sir  Moses,  however,  ob- 


Sir  Moses  Multifarious  Duties.  135 

serves,  JJ  My  duty  to  God,  and  my  respect  for  our  holy  religion, 
are  above  all  other  duties,  and  I  must  give  up  my  official  occu- 
pations for  these  days,"  a  resolve  which  he  acted  upon. 

After  having  attended  the  levee  of  the  Queen,  which  was  held 
on  Wednesday,  2nd  May,  Sir  Moses  proceeded  to  the  London 
Tavern  to  be  present  at  the  anniversary  festival  of  the  City  of 
London  School  for  the  benefit  of  the  children  of  the  indigent, 
under  the  presidency  of  the  Duke  of  Wellington.  There  was  a 
very  large  and  representative  gathering,  and  the  amount  col- 
lected and  handed  to  His  Grace,  including  the  steward's  fines, 
was  £1320. 

Thursday,  May  yd. — Sir  Moses  attended  a  state  dinner, 
which  the  Lord  Mayor  gave  the  judges,  at  the  Mansion  House. 

The  entries  continue  as  follows  : — 

Monday,  May  jth. — Presided  at  the  dinner  of  the  Spanish 
and  Portuguese  Hebrew  Schools  ;  120  persons  were  present,  and 
Mr  Samuel  Gurney  addressed  the  assembly  before  the  children 
left. 

May  gth. — Attended  a  meeting  at  the  City  of  London 
Tavern  for  the  abolition  of  slavery,  and  in  the  evening  joined 
Sir  George  Carrol  at  a  dinner  of  the  City  Dispensary,  given  at 
the  same  place.  The  same  evening  he  also  went  to  Lady 
Cottenham's  party. 

May  loth. — Dined  with  the  Corporation  of  the  Sons  of  the 
Clergy.  It  was  a  very  large  assembly,  and  Sir  Moses'  donations 
amounted  to  £44.  Mr  Justice  Parke  introduced  him  to  the 
Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  who  most  politely  invited  him  for 
Tuesday,  the  22nd  inst. 

May  \^th. —  Gave  a  grand  dinner  at  Park  Lane  to  the  Lord 
Mayor  and  the  Lady  Mayoress,  Sir  George  and  Lady  Carrol,  and 
the  Aldermen.  Several  friends  and  relatives  were  also  present 
at  this  dinner. 

May  \yh. — Attended  the  Court  of  Hustings,  and  at  Sir 
Moses'  request  the  Lord  Mayor  consented  to  adjourn  it  over  the 
29th  insL,  to  enable  him  to  go  to  Ramsgate  for  the  holy  days. 
He  went  to  the  Old  Bailey,  and  in  the  evening  was  present  at 
the  anniversary  dinner  in  aid  of  the  Magdalen  Hospital,  Mr 
Justice  Parke  being  in  the  chair.  He  was  informed  that  the 
Sheriffs  had  received  the  "entree"  from  the  Duke  of  Argyll 
during  their  Shrievalty. 


136       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

Thursday,  May  \"jth. — Sir  George  and  Lady  Carrol  .came  in 
their  state  carriage  to  Park  Lane,  in  order  to  go  with  Sir  Moses 
and  Lady  Montefiore  to  the  Queen's  Drawing-Room.  This 
being  the  Queen's  birthday,  the  Drawing-Room  was  very 
crowded,  and  the  ladies  had  some  difficulty  in  reaching  the 
palace.  It  was  five  o'clock  when  they  returned  to  Park  Lane. 
Sir  Moses  then  called  at  Buckingham  Palace,  where  he  placed 
his  and  Lady  Montefiore's  name  in  the  Duchess  of  Kent's 
visitors'  book.  In  the  evening  he  dined  with  Lord  John 
Russell,  and  there  met  the  Lord  Chancellor,  the  Judges,  the 
Master  of  the  Rolls,  Lord  Morpeth,  the  City  members,  the 
Lord  Mayor,  and  his  colleague  as  Sheriff.  Afterwards  he 
attended,  with  Lady  Montefiore,  the  Marchioness  of  Lans- 
downe's  party.  "  Nothing,"  he  observes,  "  could  have  been 
more  splendid." 

Friday,  May  i8///. — -.At  five  o'clock  he  went  to  a  dinner  at 
the  Mansion  House,  given  by  the  Lord  Mayor  to  the  Bishops. 
There  were  sixteen  bishops  present,  besides  several  aldermen, 
the  sheriffs,  and  about  half-a-dozen  ladies.  The  Bishop  of 
Exeter  asked  for  an  introduction  to  Sir  Moses,  and  was  ex- 
tremely civil  to  him.  After  six  the  company  adjourned  to 
the  dining-room,  but  Sir  Moses  withdrew  and  returned  to  Park 
Lane,  it  being  near  the  time  for  the  commencement  of 
Sabbath. 

Monday,  May  2\st. — He  went  in  full  court  dress,  in  his 
state  carriage,  with  his  servants  in  full  state  liveries,  to  dine 
at  Lambeth  Palace  with  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury.  On 
his  way  he  called  for  the  Recorder,  who  went  with  him.  "  It 
is  impossible,"  says  Sir  Moses,  "  to  describe  the  magnificence 
and  splendour  of  the  palace,  and  equally  so  the  great  kindness 
and  urbanity  shown  to  me  by  the  Primate.  About  forty  sat 
down  to  table,  including  the  Duke  of  Sussex,  the  Duke  of 
Cambridge,  Prince  George,  several  Bishops,  the  Lord  Mayor, 
John  Capel,  Jno.  Alteston,  and  many  Aldermen.  The  Duke 
of  Sussex  told  me  he  would  send  me  an  invitation  for  the 
3Oth  inst.  After  dinner  I  requested  of  his  Royal  Highness 
a  card  for  my  dear  wife  and  Lady  Carrol,  which  he  kindly 
promised  me.  The  Recorder  returned  home  with  me,  appear- 
ing much  pleased  at  the  reception  he  had  met  with. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

1838. 

ANOTHER  PETITION  TO  PARLIAMENT—  SIR  MOSES  INTERCEDES 
SUCCESSFULLY  FOR  THE  LIFE  OF  A  CONVICT  —  DEATH 
OF  LADY  MONTEFIORE'S  BROTHER. 


Y,  May  2yd.—  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte- 
fiore  drove  to  Kensington  Palace,  and  put  their  names 
in  the  visitors'  book  of  the  Duke  of  Sussex  ;  they  then  called 
on  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  and  left  cards  there.  In  the 
evening  Sir  Moses  attended  the  anniversary  dinner  of  the 
North  London  University  Hospital,  Lord  Brougham  in  the 
chair.  "  I  sat  next  to  him  on  his  right,"  he  writes.  "  There 
was  a  large  collection,  Mr  I.  L.  Goldsmid  alone  bringing  £200." 

Thursday,  May  2^th.  —  The  two  Sheriffs  proceeded  in  their 
state  carriages  to  the  Guildhall  to  attend  a  meeting  of  the 
Common  Council.  In  the  afternoon  they  drove  to  the  House  of 
Commons,  and  presented  two  petitions  respecting  the  rebuilding 
of  the  Royal  Exchange  and  the  registering  of  voters.  At  five 
they  sat  down  to  a  dinner  at  Bellamy's,  having  invited  several 
members,  Sir  Matthew  Wood  being  in  the  chair.  Sir  Moses 
returned  to  Park  Lane  at  seven  o'clock,  and  then  accompanied 
Lady  Montefiore  to  an  entertainment  given  by  one  of  their 
relatives. 

Friday,  May  2$th.  —  He  again  went  to  the  House  of  Commons 
with  his  colleague,  and  presented  a  petition  from  the  city, 
returning  to  Park  Lane  before  the  commencement  of  Sabbath. 

May  26th.  —  In  the  morning  Sir  Moses  walked  to  the  St 
Alban's  Synagogue,  and  on  his  way  back  called  on  Mr  N.  M. 
de  Rothschild.  On  the  evening  of  the  same  day  he  attended 
the  anniversary  meeting  of  the  Society  for  the  management 
and  distribution  of  the  Literary  Fund,  the  Marquis  of  Lans- 
downe  in  the  chair,  supported  by  the  Marquis  of  Northampton, 
the  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer,  and  many  literary  celebrities, 


138       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore, 

including  Thomas  Moore,  Bulwer,  and  Dickens.  ^  The  President 
paid  the  Sheriffs  a  handsome  compliment  in  proposing  their 
healths.  Messrs  Rothschild  had  requested  Sir  Moses  to  give 
£20  in  their  names,  which,  he  remarked,  was  extremely  well 
received. 

May  27//z. — He  went  in  the  forenoon  to  the  Vestry  of  the 
Spanish  and  Portuguese  Hebrew  Community,  it  being  the  day 
appointed  for  the  election  of  their  Deputies.  The  ballot  was  to- 
close  at  three  o'clock,  and  he  was  subsequently  told  that  he  had 
been  elected. 

May  28t/i. — On  his  way  to  the  city  Sir  Moses  called  on  his 
colleague,  and  gave  him  an  invitation  he  had  received  from  the 
Duke  of  Sussex  for  himself  and  Lady  Carrol.  They  then  went 
to  the  Lord  Mayor  and  invited  him  to  take  the  chair  at  their 
dinner  on  the  I3th  June,  at  the  Merchant  Taylors'  Hall,  which 
he  agreed  to  do.  Sir  Moses  writes  :  "  He  had  not  yet  received 
his  invitation  from  the  Duke  of  Sussex,  and  seemed  rather 
uneasy  about  it." 

May  ystk. — As  this  was  the  first  day  of  the  Pentecost 
Festival,  Sir  Moses  walked  to  the  city,  and  attended  service  in 
the  Synagogue  there.  On  his  return  to  Park  Lane  he  walked 
with  Lady  Montefiore  to  the  King's  Arms,  Kensington,  where 
they  had  taken  rooms  the  day  before,  and  where  they  found  a 
cold  collation  spread  for  them.  This  last,<as  well  as  both  their 
court  dresses,  had  been  conveyed  there  from  Park  Lane  on  the 
preceding  day. 

"From  our  sitting-room,"  Sir  Moses  writes,  "we  had  an 
excellent  view  of  the  company  going  to  the  palace,  as  well  as 
of  the  Queen  and  her  attendants  in  three  royal  carnages, 
escorted  by  a  troop  of  Horse  Guards.  After  ten  o'clock  dear 
Judith  went  to  the  palace  in  a  sedan  chair,  and  I  walked  there. 
There  were  many  hundred  carriages,  and  thousands  of  persons. 
The  appearance  of  the  rooms,  galleries,  and  company  was- 
magnificent  beyond  description.  The  Duke  of  Sussex  received 
the  company,  and  spoke  very  kindly  to  Judith  and  myself. 
In  the  second  chamber  Lady  Cecilia  Underwood  was  at  the 
door,  and  greeted  us  most  kindly.  The  Queen  was  also  in  this 
room,  and  near  to  her  the  Duchess  of  Kent  and  the  other 
members  of  the  Royal  Family.  On  our  making  our  bow  to 
the  Queen,  she  smiled  most  graciously,  and  the  Duchess  left 


Meets  the  Duke  of  Cambridge.  139 

her  side,  came  out  of  the  circle,  and  spoke  to  us.  She  said 
she  was  pleased  to  see  us,  and  enquired  whether  we  had  lately 
been  to  Ramsgate.  This  was  a  most  distinguished  honour,  and 
we  were  highly  gratified  with  the  same.  We  remained  at  the 
palace  till  one  o'clock,  then  returned  in  same  way  as  we  came 
to  the  hotel.  We  changed  our  dresses  and  walked  home,  where 
we  arrived  dreadfully  fatigued,  but  highly  delighted  with  our 
reception." 

Wednesday,  June  6th. — Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  went 
to  Richmond,  where  they  met  the  Duke  of  Cambridge  whilst 
walking  in  the  gardens.  He  came  up  and  spoke  to  them,  and 
was  extremely  polite.  The  Duke  was  walking  with  the  Bishop 
of  Winchester,  who  had  come  to  Richmond  to  preside  at  some 
charitable  meeting.  Sir  Moses  only  learned  after  he  and  Lady 
Montefiore  had  left  the  gardens  the  purpose  for  which  the  Bishop 
was  there,  so  he  returned  and  begged  to  be  allowed  to  contribute 
his  mite,  giving  at  the  same  time  £10,  with  which  they  seemed 
greatly  pleased. 

On  Thursday,  June  7th,  he  had  to  be  present  in  his  official 
robes  at  St  Paul's  Cathedral ;  Lady  Montefiore  was  with  him. 
"We  witnessed,"  he  says,  "the  most  splendid  of  sights:  nearly  six 
thousand  charity  children,  and  double  that  number  of  poor  men 
and  women.  The  Duke  of  Cambridge,  Lord  Eldon,  the  Lord 
Mayor  and  Sheriffs,  and  many  others  were  present.  Later  in  the 
day  Sir  George  Carrol  and  I  attended  the  anniversary  dinner  of 
the  Society  of  Patrons  of  Charity  Schools.  The  Lord  Mayor  was 
in  the  chair,  and  the  Bishop  of  Rochester  on  his  right,  the  latter 
being  extremely  civil  to  me  and  speaking  in  the  most  friendly 
manner.  Sir  Frederick  Pollock,  who  was  on  my  left,  made  a 
beautiful  speech:  he  said  he  had  been  educated  at  St  Paul's 
School  and  sent  thence  to  college,  after  leaving  which  he  had 
been  obliged  to  work  hard,  his  talents  being  the  only  patrimony 
he  possessed." 

Friday,  June  8t/t.— Sir  Moses  attended  the  Queen's  levee. 
"Her  Majesty,"  he  writes,  "appeared  in  very  good  spirits; 
nearly  all  the  company  wore  stars,  orders,  or  ribbons." 

June  i  \th.— He  dined  at  the  Merchant  Taylors'  Hall.  There 
were  present  the  Duke  of  Cambridge,  Prince  George,  the  Arch- 
bishop of  Armagh,  the  Bishop  of  Exeter,  Lord  Londonderry, 
and  many  other  noblemen— in  all,  about  two  hundred.  Several 


140       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montejiore. 

ladies    were    in    the    gallery,     Lady    Montefiore    among    the 
number. 

June  i$th. — Sir  Moses  attended  a  meeting  at  the  City  of 
London  Tavern,  for  the  benefit  of  the  London  Fever  Hospital ; 
Lord  Devon  in  the  chair.  It  was  not  well  attended,  but  the 
collection  was  good.  He  was  afterwards  present  at  a  dinner 
given  by  the  Sheriffs  to  the  Judges.  Justice  Allan  Parke  sat 
next  to  him,  and'  the  Vice- Chancellor  next  to  Sir  George 
Carrol,  who  was  in  the  chair. 

Friday,  June  \$th. — Sir  Moses  left  home  at  twelve  o'clock  in 
his  state  carriage,  the  servants  in  full  livery,  and  himself  in  black 
court  dress,  sword  and  chain.  He  called  on  the  Recorder,  who 
accompanied  him  to  the  Mansion  House,  where  a  luncheon  was 
prepared.  At  one  o'clock  the  Lord  Mayor  in  his  half-state 
carriage  with  four  horses  and  outriders,  the  Sheriffs  in  their  state 
carriages,  and  some  of  the  Aldermen  in  theirs,  set  out  in  pro- 
cession for  the  Swan  Tavern,  Stratford.  They  held  there  a 
Court  of  Conservancy  for  the  county  of  Essex,  after  which  they 
proceeded  to  Blackwall,  and  crossed  the  water  in  the  city  state 
barge,  which  was  decorated  in  grand  style  with  banners  and 
flags.  At  four  they  held  a  Court  for  the  county  of  Kent,  at  the 
Crown  and  Sceptre,  and  dined  there. 

June  \gth. — Sir  Moses  accompanied  the  Common  Sergeant  to 
the  Court  at  the  Old  Bailey,  after  which  he  attended  the  Lord 
Mayor  at  the  Mansion  House,  and  proceeded  in  state  to  the 
Borough  Town  Hall,  where  a  Court  of  Conservancy  was  held  for 
the  county  of  Surrey.  Thence  the  procession  moved  on  towards 
the  Swan  Hotel,  near  Westminster  Bridge,  where  a  Court  was 
held  for  the  county  of  Middlesex.  "  Afterwards,"  says  Sir 
Moses,  "  we  drove  to  the  city,  and  I  left  the  Recorder  at  the 
Old  Bailey.  Then  I  joined  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Sir  George 
Carrol,  and  held  a  Court  of  Hustings." 

Thursday,  June  2ist. — After  spending  the  morning  at  the  Old 
Bailey,  he  went  with  Lady  Montefiore  to  the  Queen's  Drawing- 
Room,  Sir  George  and  Lady  Carrol  accompanying  them  in  their 
state  carriage. 

On  June  22nd  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  went  to  Rams- 
gate  for  a  few  days,  where  they  celebrated  the  anniversary  of  the 
dedication  of  their  Synagogue,  and  that  of  their  wedding  day, 
returning  three  days  later  to  London.  The  time  having  arrived 


Extracts  from  Diaries.  141 

for  the  election  of  Sheriffs  for  the  ensuing  year,  Sir  Moses  went 
in  his  state  carriage  to  the  Mansion  House,  thence  in  procession 
with  the  Lord  Mayor  in  his  state  carriage  (drawn  by  six  horses 
with  six  footmen  walking  before  him)  and  Sir  George  Carrol  in 
his  state  equipage,  to  the  Guildhall.  "  About  six  hundred  of  the 
Livery  were  present,"  he  says,  "  and  the  show  of  hands  was  in 
favour  of  Josiah  Wilson  and  A.  Moore,  but  a  poll  was  demanded 
for  Alderman  Johnson  and  Thomas  Ward. 

Tuesday,  June  26t/i. — The  Recorder  passed  the  sentences  at 
the  Old  Bailey,  and  "  Thanks  to  heaven  ! "  Sir  Moses  exclaims, 
"  the  Sessions  ended  at  one  o'clock."  The  numbers  at  the  close 
of  the  poll  for  sheriffs  that  day  were  :  Ward,  450  ;  Wilson,  479  ; 
Johnson,  479  ;  and  Moore,  429.  In  the  evening  Sir  Moses  and 
Lady  Montefiore  dined  with  the  Vice-Chancellor  and  Lady 
Shadwell,  where  they  met  Lady  and  Miss  Denman,  Baron  and 
Baroness  Bolland,  and  Justice  Coleridge. 

June  2jth. — Sir  Moses  attended  a  meeting  of  the  Common 
Council,  where  it  was  resolved  to  invite  the  foreign  Ministers 
to  a  dinner  at  the  Guildhall.  On  returning  home  in  the  even- 
ing he  found  the  park  sparkling  with  lamps  from  booths  and 
tents,  erected  in  preparation  for  the  coronation  festival.  He  at 
once  gave  orders  to  have  the  balcony  of  his  house  propped  and 
got  ready  for  the  illumination.  "  The  park,"  he  writes,  "  was  all 
life  and  bustle,  brilliantly  illuminated,  and  the  booths  thronged 
with  people.  I  understand  that  dancing  was  carried  on  in  most 
of  the  booths,  and  that  refreshments  of  all  kinds  and  qualities 
were  to  be  had." 

June  3O///. — Lord  John  Russell  gave  a  grand  dinner  on  this 
day  to  the  Lord  Chancellor,  the  judges,  the  members  for  the 
city  of  London,  and  the  Sheriffs.  Being  Sabbath,  Sir  Moses  did 
not  accept  the  invitation,  but  called  there  and  left  his  card. 
During  the  day,  he  and  Lady  Montefiore  walked  in  the  park, 
and  were  much  amused  by  the  fair.  Afterwards  they  watched 
the  scene  from  their  drawing-room  window.  Thousands  of 
people  took  part  in  the  amusements,  and  as  soon  as  it  was  dark, 
the  whole  park  was  again  brilliantly  illuminated. 

On  the  1 3th  Sir  Moses  had  to  attend  an  entertainment  at  the 
Guildhall,  given  by  the  Corporation  to  distinguished  foreign-rs, 
and  representatives  of  sovereigns  at  the  coronation.  The  Duke 
of  Sussex  and  many  others  of  the  highest  nobility  were  present, 


142       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monlcjiore. 

but  Sir  Moses  only  remained  there  until  they  were  seated  at 
dinner,  and  then  left  in  his  state  carriage. 

July  \"jth. — Accompanied  by  his  Under-Sheriff,  Mr  Wire, 
and  Mr  Maynard,  he  went  to  the  Home  Office  to  intercede  on 
behalf  of  a  prisoner  named  Rickie.  The  man  was  a  soldier, 
who  had  always  borne  an  excellent  character,  but,  in  a  state  of 
drunkenness,  had  fired  at  an  officer  and  killed  him.  Rickie  had 
been  condemned  and  sentenced  to  death.  Sir  Moses  and  his 
friends  were  soon  admitted  to  an  audience  with  Lord  John 
Russell,  to  whom  they  fully  explained  the  subject.  His  Lord- 
ship said  he  would  like  to  see  them  again. 

Wednesday,  July  i8t/i. — Sir  Moses  went  in  full  state  to  the 
Queen's  levee,  calling  on  his  way  at  Cavendish  Square  for  Sir 
George  Carrol.  "  It  was  very  splendid,"  he  writes.  "  The  Queen 
looked  very  happy  and  beautiful ;  she  was  most  gracious,  as  was 
also  the  Duke  of  Sussex."  On  his  return  home  he  went  with 
Lady  Montefiore  to  a  splendid  fete  at  Gunnersbury  Park,  the  seat 
of  the  Baroness  Rothschild.  About  five  hundred  persons  were 
present,  including  foreign  Princes  of  distinction,  the  Ambassadors, 
the  Duke  of  Sussex,  Prince  George  of  Cambridge,  the  Duchess 
of  Cambridge,  the  Dukes  of  Wellington  and  Somerset,  and  most 
of  the  highest  nobility  of  the  land.  The  proceedings  commenced 
with  a  concert,  at  which  several  great  artistes,  including  Grisi, 
Lablache,  Tamburini,  and  Rubini  performed.  This  was  suc- 
ceeded by  a  dejeuner,  and  in  the  evening  a  grand  ball  was  given 
in  a  magnificent  tent  erected  for  the  purpose.  The  gardens  were 
illuminated  with  six  thousand  variegated  lamps.  The  company 
remained  until  near  midnight,  all  the  guests  complimenting  the 
Rothschild  family  most  highly  on  their  taste  and  hospitality. 

Saturday,  July  2ist. — Sir  Moses  went  by  appointment  to  the 
Home  Office,  and  had  an  interview  with  Lord  John  Russell  and 
Mr  Phillips,  Sir  George  Carrol,  Mr  Maynard,  and  Mr  Clark 
being  also  present.  His  Lordship  informed  them  that  he  had 
"  consulted  the  legal  advisers  of  the  Crown,  and  they  had  de- 
cided that  Rickie's  sentence  could  not  be  commuted.  The 
Sheriffs  must  therefore  fix  the  day  for  his  execution." 

Monday,  July  2$rd. — The  Prince  and  Princess  of  Schwarzen- 
berg  invited  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  to  a  breakfast  at 
Richmond,  which  Sir  Moses  describes  as  a  magnificent  fete. 
"  On  our  arrival  at  the  Castle,"  he  says,  "  Prince  Esterhazy,  at 


Death  of  Mr  Joseph  Cohen.  143 

Lady  Montefiore's  request,  very  kindly  introduced  us  to  the  Prin- 
cess of  Schwarzenberg,  our  beautiful  hostess.  I  never  witnessed 
a  more  splendid  party.  In  the  evening  seven  hundred  sat  down 
to  dinner,  and  there  was  every  luxury  that  could  be  imagined. 
The  Princess  walked  round  the  rooms  to  see  that  all  her  guests 
were  seated  comfortably  before  she  would  take  her  own  seat. 
The  Duke  of  Sussex,  the  Duchess  of  Cambridge,  Prince  George 
and  Princess  Mary  of  Cambridge,  all  the  foreign  Princes  in 
London,  and  great  part  of  the  English  nobility  were  present. 
The  gardens  were  beautifully  illuminated,  and  a  grand  display 
of  fireworks  concluded  the  entertainment.  It  was  near  midnight 
when  we  left,  but  the  place  was  so  crowded  that  we  had  great 
difficulty  in  reaching  the  hotel  where  we  had  taken  rooms." 

Tuesday,  July  2^th. — After  the  enjoyment  of  the  previous 
day's  fete  came  a  day  of  great  sorrow  for  them,  Lady  Montefiore 
sustaining  a  severe  loss  in  the  death  of  her  brother,  Mr  Joseph 
Cohen.  This  occurrence  caused  the  deepest  grief  to  herself  and 
every  member  of  the  family.  Oa  the  same  day  Sir  Moses  was 
obliged  to  attend  at  Newgate  to  speak  with  Rickie,  a  reprieve 
having,  after  all,  been  sent  to  him  by  Lord  John  Russell. 

Thursday,  July  2.6th. — Sir  Moses  went  to  the  funeral  of  his 
brother-in-law,  while  Lady  Montefiore  remained  with  the  ladies 
of  the  family.  The  funeral  was  largely  attended  by  friends  and 
relatives,  Mr  Cohen  having  been  highly  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  him.  Sir  Moses  had  then  to  interview  142  prisoners  at 
Newgate,  which  occupied  him  three  hours.  Having  fulfilled 
this  duty,  he  returned  to  the  house  of  the  mourners,  where  he 
was  present  at  evening  prayers.  He  remained  there  with  Lady 
Montefiore  till  ten  o'clock. 

Monday,  July  y^th.— Sir  Moses  accompanied  Mr  Pearce  to 
the  House  of  Lords,  and  was  present  at  the  Committee  on  the 
Royal  Exchange  Bill ;  the  clause  affecting  the  Alliance  was  not 
inserted  in  the  Bill. 

Tuesday,  July  3 \st—  This  being  a  fast-day,  in  memory  of  the 
destruction  of  the  Temple  at  Jerusalem,  he  attended  the  service 
held  in  Prescot  Street  at  the  residence  of  the  late  Mr  Cohen. 
He  remained  there  till  twelve  o'clock,  when  prayers  were  con- 
cluded. He  then  walked  to  the  Guildhall,  and  attended  the  Court 
of  Hustings  with  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Sir  George  Carrol,  this 
being  the  last  that  these  two  Sheriffs  would  hold.  Subsequently 


144       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

he  attended  the  Court  of  Aldermen,  the  Irish  Bank,  and  the 
Alliance  Marine  Office.  At  seven  o'clock  he  again  repaired  to 
.Prescot  Street,  where  he  joined  the  mourners  and  a  large  congre- 
gation in  the  recital  of  evening  prayers,  after  which  they  all 
broke  the  fast,  and  enjoyed  a  good  breakfast.  The  reader  will 
no  doubt  feel  surprised  at  the  amount  of  work  Sir  Moses  was 
able  to  accomplish  on  a  fast-day,  when  for  twenty-four  hours 
neither  a  crumb  of  bread  nor  a  drop  of  water  passed  his  lips  ; 
but  we  shall  yet  have  many  other  instances  of  his  extraordinary 
powers  of  endurance. 

The  next  day,  August  ist,  we  find  him  at  a  public  gathering 
which  took  place  at  the  London  Tavern.  The  meeting  was 
called  to  consider  the  erection  of  a  public  monument  as  a 
memorial  of  the  achievements  of  Lord  Nelson.  The  Duke  of 
Wellington  was  in  the  chair,  and  the  great  room  was  crowded 
to  overflowing.  The  amount  collected  was  about  ^300,  of 
which  Sir  Moses  gave  £15,  153.,  in  addition  to  ^"5  which  he  had 
given  previously. 

Friday,  August  $rd. — He  visited  Whitecross  Street  Prison 
and  Newgate.  He  there  met  Lady  Harriet  de  Blanquiere  of 
Hampton  Court  Palace.  She  had  seen  Rickie,  and  expressed  a 
hope  that  his  sentence  might  be  commuted  to  transportation. 

The  4th  of  August  of  this  year  was  an  important  day  for  Sir 
Moses,  as  the  prospect  of  a  speedy  release  from  his  official 
duties  as  Sheriff  enabled  him  to  make  the  following  entry  in  his 
diary.  "  Now,"  he  writes,  "  with  the  blessing  of  the  Almighty 
we  will  commence  preparations  for  revisiting  the  Holy  Land." 

Sunday,  August  12th. — The  first  meeting  of  the  new  Board 
of  Deputies  of  British  Jews  taking  place  on  this  day,  Sir  Moses 
attended  as  President.  He  appears  to  have  apprehended  some 
difficulty  in  managing  the  new  Board. 

Wednesday,  August  2,gth. — At  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning 
he  left  home  for  the  Old  Bailey.  He  and  his  colleague  accom- 
panied the  Recorder  and  Alderman  Sir  C.  Marshall  into  Court 
at  nine,  when  sentence  was  pronounced  on  several  prisoners. 
"  A  most  solemn  and  affecting  scene,"  Sir  Moses  remarks. 
"  Sir  J.  Carrol  and  I  went  into  the  prison,  and  spoke  with  most 
of  them  afterwards.  We  then  went  to  the  Alliance,  and  .from 
there  to  4  Canonbury  Place,  to  intercede  with  two  ladies  who 
had  prosecuted  their  servant  for  robbery,  but  they  gave  her  such 
a  bad  character  that  we  could  not  further  interfere." 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

1838. 

BARTHOLOMEW  FAIR — SIR  MOSES  EARNS  THE  THANKS  OF  THE 
CITY — PREPARATIONS  FOR  A  SECOND  JOURNEY  TO  THE 
HOLY  LAND— THE  JOURNEY — ADVENTURES  ON  ROAD  AND- 
RIVER  IN  FRANCE. 

ON  Monday,  September  3rd,  Sir  Moses  went  in  full  state 
to  join  his  colleague,  and  proceeded  with  him  to  the 
Mansion  House.  The  Lord  Mayor,  in  his  state  coach,  drawn 
by  six  horses,  and  preceded  by  a  body  of  police,  went  with  the 
Sheriffs,  and  the  City  Marshal  on  horseback,  to  Smithfield,  and 
proclaimed  "Bartholomew  Fair."  Sir  Moses  observes,  "There 
were  not  so  many  booths  and  shows  as  in  former  years,  but  all 
were  crowded  to  excess." 

Thursday,  September  \^th. — He  attended  the  dedication  of 
the  new  Synagogue  at  Great  St  Helens.  "It  is,"  he  says,  " a. 
most  splendid  edifice,  and  does  the  greatest  credit  to  all  con- 
cerned in  the  building.  The  music  and  psalms  on  the  occasion 
were  very  similar  to  those  used  at  the  dedication  of  my  own. 
Synagogue  at  Ramsgate." 

The  following  day  he  and  Lady  Montefiore  went  to  spend  a. 
couple  of  days  at  Gunnersbury  with  their  sister,  Mrs  N.  M.  de 
Rothschild.  In  the  entry  he  makes  of  the  Sabbath,  Sir  Moses; 
writes:  "-We  all  assembled  in  the  library,  where  Louise  Roths- 
child read  the  Sabbath  morning  service  aloud  exceedingly  well. 
At  three  o'clock  we  lunched,  and  then  walked  in  the  garden, 
after  which  we  re-entered  the  house  and  recited  the  afternoon 
prayers.  About  eight  we  were  seated  at  dinner.  There  were 
twenty-four  at  table,  including  the  Duke  and  Duchess  of  Cam- 
bridge, Prince  George  and  the  Princess  Mary,  two  foreign 
princes  with  a  lady,  and  Col.  Jones,  who  accompanied  them. 
There  were  also  present  Sir  C.  Bagot,  Lord  and  Lady  Cawdor* 
I.  K 


146       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montcfiore. 

and  Miss  Wellesley,  Baron  Bulovv,  Monsieur  Didel,  and  Lady 
Maryborough.  The  entertainment,  or  rather  the  banquet,  was 
magnificent,  and  the  guests  did  not  leave  till  after  eleven. 
Wester  on  the  guitar,  and  Benedict  on  the  piano,  amused  the 
company  at  the  conclusion  of  the  dinner,  and  Louise  sang  one 
song  beautifully.  We  left  about  twelve  and  returned  home." 

Tuesday,  September  i8f/i. — "  My  dear  Judith,"  he  writes,  "  with 
the  Baronesses  Charlotte,  Anselm,  and  Lionel  de  Rothschild, 
came  to  the  Session  House  at  three  o'clock,  and  sat  on  the 
bench  till  near  five,  but  no  trial  of  interest  took  place.  A  few 
minutes  later  I  joined  the  dinner  in  the  hall,  as  it  was  the  last 
time  I  should  have  to  visit  the  Old  Bailey  in  my  capacity  as 
Sheriff  of  London  and  Middlesex.  There  were  present:  Alder- 
man Lawson,  in  the  chair;  Common-Sergeant  S.  Arabin,  Ed. 
Blount,  John  Masterman,  Henry  Alexander,  Matthias  Attwood, 
H.  de  Castro,  G.  H.  Hine,  Mr  Maynard,  Mr  Wire,  Sir  George 
Carrol,  and  two  or  three  others.  It  was  a  most  pleasant  party  ; 
a  kind  of  leave-taking  dinner,  and  the  Sheriffs  had  the  gratifica- 
tion of  hearing  that  their  conduct  during  their  year  of  office 
had  given  general  satisfaction.  It  was  impossible  to  leave  the 
room  without  a  feeling  of  regret  at  parting  from  very  pleasant 
acquaintances  whom  we  were  so  little  likely  to  see  again.  Very 
quickly  has  the  year  flown  away,  with  its  pleasures  and  fatigues, 
leaving  only  the  satisfaction  of  having  accomplished  our  arduous 
.duties  to  the  best  of  our  abilities." 

Wednesday,  September  igth. — He  went  early  to  the  Old 
'Bailey,  and  breakfasted  there,  as  he  had  generally  done  during 
the  year  when  his  attendance  was  required.  "  These  early 
repasts,"  he  observes,  "  have  been,  without  exception,  most  com- 
fortable ;  although  they  preceded  long  days  of  confinement  in 
a  hot  and  close  court,  they  have  left  pleasing  remembrances  of 
the  many  marks  of  attention  and  kindness  shown  to  me  by  the 
city  Judges  who  used  to  join  these  early  meals."  After  this, 
his  last  breakfast  there,  he  accompanied  Lady  Carrol,  her 
daughters,  and  some  other  visitors  round  the  prison  and  cells. 
He  then  left  some  money  for  the  prisoners,  and  conducted  the 
Judges  and  a  large  party  into  the  dining-room,  after  which  he 
bade  adieu  to  the  Old  Bailey,  "  I  expect,"  he  says,  "  for  ever." 
He  then  returned  home  and  prepared  for  the  Holy  days  which 
were  to  commence  the  same  evening. 


Sir  Moses  earns  the  Thanks  of  the  Citj  147 

On  Monday,  October  ist,  the  following  official  notice  ap-t 
peared  : — 

"  Cowen,  Mayor. — In  a  meeting  or  assembly  of  the  Mayor, 
Aldermen,  and  Liverymen  of  the  several  Companies  of  the  city 
of  London,  in  Common  Council  assembled,  at  the  Guildhall  of 
the  said  city,  on  Saturday,  the  29th  day  of  September  1838. 
Resolved  unanimously,  that  the  thanks  of  this  Common  Hall 
are  eminently  due,  and  are  hereby  given,  to  Sir  George  Carrol 
and  Sir  Moses  Montefiore,  Knights,  Sheriffs  of  this  City,  and 
Sheriffs  of  the  County  of  Middlesex,  for  the  past  year,  for  the 
splendour  with  which  they  have  maintained  the  dignity  of  that 
high  office ;  for  their  hospitality ;  for  the  punctuality,  zeal,  and 
judgment  with  which  they  have  executed  their  various  official 
duties  ;  for  their  munificent  and  constant  support  of  the  charities 
which  adorn  the  metropolis  ;  for  their  humanity  to  the  prisoners 
entrusted  to  their  care ;  for  their  various  efforts  to  preserve, 
unimpaired,  the  privileges  of  this  city ;  and  for  their  universal 
cqurtesy  to  all  their  fellow-citizens.  "  WOODTHORPE." 

The  particulars  of  that  meeting  are  thus  given  : — "  Mr 
Timothy  Curtis,  the  Governor  of  the  Bank  of  England,  came 
forward  to  move  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  late  Sheriffs,  Sir  George 
Carrol  and  Sir  Moses  Montefiore,  for  the  dignity,  splendour, 
humanity,  and  hospitality  with  which  they  had  distinguished 
themselves  in  the  high  situation  to  which  they  had  been  chosen 
by  the  unanimous  voice  of  their  fellow-citizens.  Mr  Gurney,  in 
seconding  the  motion  of  thanks,  said  he  rejoiced  that  the  day 
had  arrived  when  the  citizens  could  be  served  by  any  one, 
whatever  his  religious  opinions  might  be." 

Mr  T.  Curtis  then  read  the  following  letter — a  letter  of 
thanks  to  the  Livery— from  Sir  Moses  Montefiore,  in  the  course 
of  which  he  said  : — 

"  I  need  not  tell  you  that  many  of  the  duties  of  office 
myself  and  colleague  have  just  passed  through  are  of  a  painful 
nature.  We  have  often  been  called  upon  to  witness  scenes  of 
agony  occasioned  by  want  and  crime.  Some  of  this  distress, 
however  painful,  we  could  not  alleviate  ;  but  we  have  endeavoured 
•to  mitigate  the  sufferings  of  the  prisoners,  and  to  open  to  them 
better  and  happier  courses  of  life,  as  far  as  public  justice  and 
the  necessarily  strict  rules  of  a  prison  would  permit. 


148       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

"  If,  on  the  one  hand,  there  have  been  scenes  of  distress  to 
witness,  on  the  other  I  have  found  many  sources  of  unmingled 
gratification.  I  have  had  opportunities  of  forming  friendships 
with  the  members  of  the  Corporation,  and  of  cementing  a 
friendship  of  long  standing  with  my  excellent  colleague — 
friendships  which  I  am  sure,  as  regards  my  own  wishes,  will  still 
remain,  and  cause  me  to  look  back  on  the  past  year  as  one  of 
the  happiest  of  my  life." 

Whilst  these  proceedings  took  place  at  the  Guildhall,  Sir 
Moses  was  fasting  and  reciting  prayers  with  his  community  in 
the  ancient  and  venerable  Synagogue  called  "  The  Gate  of 
Heaven,"  as  the  day  on  which  the  meeting  took  place  happened 
to  be  the  Day  of  Atonement,  appointed  in  the  Bible  as  a  day  of 
repentance  and  prayer  for  the  forgiveness  of  sins.  The  fast 
does  not  seem  to  have  affected  Sir  Moses'  health  or  spirits  in 
the  least,  as  we  find  him  attending  service  again  in  the  House 
of  Prayer  at  twenty  minutes  before  seven  the  next  morning. 
His  devotions  concluded,  he  takes  an  early  opportunity  of 
visiting  his  friends  and  enquiring  how  they  have  passed  the 
previous  day.  The  same  evening  he  dined  with  his  mother,  who, 
he  writes,  "was,  thanks  to  Heaven,  pretty  well  after  her  fast." 

Monday,  October  \st.  —  He  called  on  Mr  Curtis,  the  Governor 
of  the  Bank  of  England,  to  thank  him  for  proposing  the  vote  of 
thanks  to  the  Sheriffs ;  also  on  Mr  Gurney,  who  seconded  the 
vote.  Later  in  the  day  he  accompanied  Sir  George  Carrol  to 
Westminster,  and  at  three  o'clock  the  Lord  Mayor,  Aldermen, 
the  Recorder,  and  Sheriffs  elect  came  there  to  receive  Her 
Majesty's  approval  of  the  newly  elected  Sheriffs.  The  Recorder 
in  his  address  to  the  Bench  again  highly  complimented  Sir 
George  and  Sir  Moses  on  the  efficient  manner  in  which  they 
discharged  their  duties.  Sir  Moses  then  returned  in  great  haste 
to  the  city,  having  summoned  a  meeting  at  the  Alliance  Office 
at  four,  for  the  election  of  a  solicitor  to  the  Board  of  Deputies. 
At  five  o'clock  he  had  to  attend  the  new  Sheriffs'  inauguration 
dinner  at  the  London  Tavern.  "There  were  150  persons 
present,"  he  says,  "the  Lord  Mayor  in  the  chair.  We  had  the 
foremost  places,  next  to  the  new  Sheriffs,  and  our  health  was 
drunk  in  a  most  complimentary  manner." 

Wednesday,  October  ^rd. — Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore 
went  to  Ramsgate,  where  they  spent  the  Tabernacle  holidays 


Preparations  for  Visiting  the  Holy  Land.        149 

very  happily,  surrounded  by  relatives  and  friends  whom  they 
had  invited  for  the  occasion. 

On  the  1 9th  they  returned  again  to  London.  Here  they  had 
the  satisfaction  of  finding  letters  of  introduction  from  Lord 
Palmerston  to  Her  Majesty's  Ambassadors  and  Consuls  in 
Paris,  Florence,  Rome,  Naples,  Malta,  Alexandria,  and  Con- 
stantinople, as  also  to  the  Admiral  on  the  Mediterranean 
Station,  which  Sir  Moses  had  asked  for  through  Mr  Spring-Rice. 

Monday,  October  22nd. — At  a  meeting  of  the  Deputies  of  the 
British  Jews,  Sir  Moses  resigned  the  Presidency  on  account  of 
his  going  abroad.  The  next  day  he  called  at  the  Foreign  Office 
to  thank  Lord  Palmerston  for  the  letters  of  introduction  he  had 
so  kindly  sent ;  he  also  called  on  Mr  Spring-Rice,  who  was  very 
friendly,  and  promised  him  a  letter  to  the  Governor  of  Malta,  at 
the  same  time  requesting  Sir  Moses  to  write  to  him  from  the 
East.  A  few  days  later  he  received  several  letters  from  Baron 
Lionel  de  Rothschild,  which  Baron  Anthony,  at  the  request  of 
Baron  Anselm  de  Rothschild,  had  procured  for  him  from  the 
French  Ministry,  to  the  French  Admiral  on  the  Mediterranean 
Station,  and  to  their  Ministers  and  Consuls. 

Before  leaving  England  Sir  Moses  sent  for  his  solicitor  to 
read  over  the  will  he  had  prepared,  and  which  he  signed  in  his 
presence,  and  in  the  presence  of  another  gentleman  whom  he 
had  brought  as  witness. 

I  notice  this  item  in  the  entries  of  his  diary  to  show  the 
completeness  of  all  his  arrangements. 

There  is  a  book  entitled  "  Notes  from  a  Private  Journal  of  a 
Visit  to  Egypt  and  Palestine  by  way  of  Italy  and  the  Medi- 
terranean," written  by  Lady  Montefiore,  and  printed  in  the  year 
1844:  a  second  edition  was  printed  shortly  before  the  death  of 
Sir  Moses.  Both,  having  only  been  intended  for  private  circula- 
tion among  friends,  are  unpublished.  The  account  of  the  journey 
which  I  give  here  is  taken  partly  from  Sir  Moses'  and  Lady 
Montefiore's  diaries,  and  partly  from  my  own,  which  I  kept  when 
travelling  with  them,  with  a  view  of  supplying  the  reader  with 
information  on  subjects  which  they  have  omitted  to  write 
down. 

Thursday,  November  ist.— "  We  have  finished,"  Sir  Moses 
writes,  "  all  the  preparations  for  our  journey,  and  have  taken  leave 
of  all  our  dear  relatives.  I  have  left  to  Benjamin  Cohen  the  key 


1 50       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefioi  e. 

of  a  box  in  which  there  are  1300  Portuguese  Bonds  which  I 
have  destined  for  the  poor  of  the  Holy  Land  ;  if  necessary  he  is 
to  sell  them  for  me.  After  that  we  set  out  from  Park  Lane  in 
our  travelling  carriage  with  four  post  horses,  attended  by  our 
servants.  May  the  blessing  of  the  Almighty  accompany  us. 
We  stopped  a  short  time  at  Kennington  for  the  blessing  of  our 
dear  mother,  whom  I  pray  God  to  protect,  that  we  may  have 
the  happiness  to  find  her  in  health  on  our  return,  and  then  pro- 
ceeded as  far  as  Sittingbourne,  where  we  remained  overnight." 

Travelling  vid  Strasburg  and  Avignon  they  reached  Lyons, 
where  they  rested  for  Sabbath.  Thus  far  their  way  had  been 
through  the  most  lovely  scenery,  but  their  enjoyment  was 
marred  by  the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  and  the  difficulty  of 
the  roads,  which  lay  for  the  most  part  at  the  sides  or  on  the 
top  of  high  steep  mountains,  close  to  immense  precipices  or  rush- 
ing rivers,  which  were  swollen  by  the  torrents  of  water  streaming 
down  the  sides  of  the  mountains  from  the  melting  snow.  "  My 
dear  Judith,"  says  Sir  Moses,  "  was  often  so  frightened  that  she 
persisted  in  getting  out  of  the  carriage,  although  the  snow  was 
deep  oft  the  ground.  Our  courier  and  the  postillions  had  to  walk 
a  great  part  of  the  way,  and  to  lead  the  horses,  as  the  ice  had 
made  the  roads  so  slippery.  I  certainly  would  not  recommend 
this  season  for  travelling." 

From  Lyons  they  took  the  steamboat  to  Avignon,  thinking 
this  mode  of  travelling  would  be  an  improvement  on  the  roads, 
but  they  were  mistaken.  The  boat  was  to  start  at  six  o'clock  in 
the  morning.  The  moon  still  shone  brightly,  but  the  gale  was 
so  strong  that  for  some  time  the  captain  was  doubtful  whether 
he  should  start.  After  much  consideration  he  decided  to  ven- 
ture. The  boat  went  at  a  good  speed  until  they  came  to  the 
first  bridge,  where  it  was  found  that  the  river  was  so  swollen  that 
it  did  not  seem  possible  to  pass  under.  The  vessel  was  moored 
to  the  bank  by  the  side  of  the  bridge,  and  the  captain  proceeded 
in  a  small  boat  to  measure  the  height  of  the  arch.  It  was  pro- 
nounced to  be  just  sufficient;  the  funnel  was  lowered  nearly 
flat.  Sir  Moses  says  he  was  certain  there  was  not  six  inches 
between,  the  top  of  the  funnel  and  the  bridge  ;  the  smallest 
wave  might  have  dashed  their  boat  against  it,  and  they  might 
have  been  drowned.  Twice  more  they  had  to  undergo  this 
anxiety  ;  all  the  passengers  were  panic  stricken.  "I  must  con- 


Arrival  at  Nice.  151 

fess,"  says  Sir  Moses,  "  I  would  rather  be  in  the  open  sea  in  a 
hurricane."  The  second  day's  journey  was  not  so  bad,  as  during 
the  night  the  river  had  fallen  a  foot,  and  they  reached  Avignon 
in  safety.  "  But  I  am  mortified,"  he  writes,  "  to  find  that, 
though  there  are  many  Jews  in  this  place,  there  is  no  Synagogue. 
No  meat,  prepared  according  to  Jewish  law,  can  be  procured. 
We  could  manage  with  fish. and  vegetables,  but  I  exceedingly 
regret  not  being  able  to  join  public  worship  on  Sabbath.  To- 
morrow will  be  the  first  time  we  have  omitted  so  doing  since  we 
left  London,  and  shall  be  happy  if  it  is  the  last." 

Leaving  Avignon,  they  proceeded,  via  Marseilles,  Toulon, 
and  Cannes,  to  Nice.  Writing  from  here,  Sir  Moses  says : 
"We  find  the  climate  here  very  different  to  that  of  England, 
the  sun  even  now,  at  the  end  of  December,  being  almost  too 
powerful  to  be  pleasant.  Notwithstanding  all  the  advantages 
Nice  may  afford,  nothing  would  induce  me  to  live  here.  I  was 
shocked  and  grieved  to  hear  that  our  brethren  are  treated  in  the 
most  intolerant  manner,  not  being  allowed  even  to  educate  their 
children  for  any  profession.  I  was  told  that  when  the  King  and 
Queen  of  Sardinia  visited  Nice  in  1826,  all  classes  of  the  in- 
habitants, Jews  among  the  number,  tried  to  show  their  loyalty, 
by  sending  deputations  to  present  addresses,  but  the  King 
refused  to  receive  the  deputation  from  the  Jews.  They  then 
addressed  him  through  the  Minister  of  State,  and  solicited  per- 
mission to  erect  an  obelisk  in  commemoration  of  the  Royal 
visit,  and  the  joy  they  felt,  in  common  with  their  fellow-subjects, 
at  seeing  their  King  and  Queen.  After  some  time  this  humble 
petition  was  granted,  and  the  column  stands  now  in  the  city, 
bearing  a  Hebrew  and  Italian  inscription." 

Amongst  the  many  friends  and  acquaintances  they  had  met 
at  this  place,  there  was  one  of  some  historical  importance,  Isaak 
Samuel  Avigdor,  who,  on  account  of  his  knowledge  of  the  French 
and  Italian  languages,  acted  as  one  of  the  secretaries  to  the 
French  Synhedrion  under  Napoleon  I.,  in  the  year  1806.  At 
the  last  session  of  that  assembly  he  had  moved  a  resolution  to 
the  effect  that  "  the  Jews  in  France,  Germany,  and  Italy  do  now 
forget  all  the  misfortunes  (i.e.,  persecution)  which  befell  them, 
and  only  engrave  in  their  hearts  the  kind  acts  which  have  been 
done  towards  them,  and  that  they  acknowledge  with  deep  grati- 
tude the  kind  reception  which  the  Popes  and  other  representa- 


152       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore, 

tives  of  the  Catholic  Church  had  given  them  at  a  time  when 
barbarity,  prejudice,  and  ignorance  had  persecuted  and  expelled 
them  from  society."  The  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted, 
and  entered  in  the  minutes  of  the  proceedings. 

Unfortunately,  Pius  VII.,  the  Pope  who  declared  that  he 
represented  Aaron,  the  Prophet  of  God,  cannot  be  numbered 
among  those  who  protected  the  Jews.  Immediately  after  the 
restoration  of  the  Bourbons,  in  the  year  1814,  as  soon  as  he 
was  able  to  resume  the  government  of  the  Papal  States,  he 
re-established  the  Inquisition. 

Monsieur  Avigdor  had  the  mortification  of  witnessing  the 
distressing  consequences  of  the  Pope's  new  edicts.  The  Jews  in 
Rome  were  obliged  to  quit  the  houses  which,  under  the  French 
Government,  they  had  been  permitted  to  own  in  all  parts  of  the 
city,  and  return  to  the  Ghetto.  They  had  to  give  up  counting- 
houses  and  other  places  of  business  which  they  had  in  the 
•Corse.  In  vain  did  they  offer  large  sums  of  money  to  induce 
the  Minister  of  State  to  withdraw  his  order.  The  applications 
made  by  numerous  deputations  from  Jewish  communities  in 
various  towns  likewise  proved  fruitless.  They  were  even  forced 
to  attend  sermons  preached  in  the  churches  for  the  purpose 
of  their  conversion,  heavy  fines  being  imposed  upon  all  those 
who  absented  themselves ;  and  those  who  were  detected  either 
asleep,  or  not  paying  sufficient  attention  to  the  sermon,  were 
unceremoniously  aroused  by  one  of  the  priests. 

I  noticed  during  my  stay  in  Rome  a  Hebrew  inscription  over 
the  entrance  of  one  of  these  churches  (Chiesa  della  divina  pieta), 
which  runs  as  follows  :  "  I  have  spread  out  my  hands  all  the  day 
unto  a  rebellious  people,  which  walketh  in  a  way  that  was  not 
good,  after  their  own  thoughts,  a  people  that  provoketh  me  to 
anger  continually  to  my  face  "  (Isaiah  Ixv.,  3  and  4). 

Mr  Avigdor  often  spoke  on  the  above  subject  to  Sir  Moses 
and  Lady  Montefiore.  He  related  some  interesting  incidents  in 
connection  with  the  Synhedrion,  how  the  members  were  put  to 
much  inconvenience  on  the  first  day  of  the  opening  of  their 
Sessions,  the  day  fixed  by  the  Emperor  being  their  Sabbath. 

Mr  Avigdor  pressed  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  to 
prolong  their  stay  in  Nice,  but  they  were  anxious  to  proceed, 
without  unnecessary  delay,  on  their  projected  pilgrimage,  and 
they  left  on  the  3ist  of  December. 


CHAPTER    XIX 

1839- 

GENOA,  CARRARA,  LEGHORN,  AND  ROME  —  DISQUIETING 
RUMOURS  —  QUARANTINE  PRECAUTIONS  —  ARRIVAL  AT 
ALEXANDRIA — TRAVEL  IN  THE  HOLY  LAND. 

/"TAHEY  reached  Genoa  on  January  2nd,  1839,  a°d  after  a  few 
JL  days'  rest,  continued  their  journey  to  Carrara. 

On  the  following  day,  the  Dottore  A.  Passani,  an  advocate 
of  Carrara,  called,  and  brought  Sir  Moses  several  of  his  father's 
letters,  some  dated  as  far  back  as  1790 ;  they  were  all  in  Italian, 
and  beautifully  written.  Both  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore 
were  much  pleased  at  the  sight  of  the  handwriting  of  their 
father,  and  would  have  been  glad  if  the  gentleman  had  been 
willing  to  part  with  them,  but  it  appears  he  desired  to  preserve 
them  himself  as  souvenirs  of  the  late  Mr  Montefiore. 

On  their  way  to  Rome  they  visited  Leghorn,  a  period  of 
•eleven  years  having  elapsed  since  their  last  sojourn  in  that 
place,  and  made  special  arrangements  there  for  having  the 
graves  of  their  kind  god-parents,  Moses  and  Esther  Racah,  kept 
in  proper  order. 

"I  was  desirous,"  writes  Sir  Moses,  "once  more  to  offer  up 
prayers  in  the  Synagogue  so  near  to  the  house  in  which  I  was 
born ;  we  therefore  drove  to  Synagogue,  where  my  dear  Judith 
and  I  humbly  thanked  the  Almighty  for  all  His  great  goodness 
to  us.  We  left  Leghorn  on  the  i6th  January  ;  it  was  a  beautiful 
•day,  the  sun  smiling  on  us,  and  returned  to  Carrara,  where  we 
wished  to  purchase  some  more  souvenirs  of  Italy,  and  also  gave 
orders  to  Vincenzo  Bonami  for  our  coat-of-arms  to  be  executed 
in  marble  for  East  Cliff  Lodge." 

On  the  1 8th  January  we  find  them  at  Florence,  where  they 
remained  until  the  2nd  February.  It  appears  that  the  climate 
there  did.  not  agree  with  either  Lady  Montefiore  or  Sir  Moses. 
They  had  to  take  medical  advice,  and  Dr  Usiglio  strongly  dis- 


1 54       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

suaded  them  from  going  to  Jerusalem,  advising  them  on  the 
contrary  to  return  to  England  before  the  hot  season.  But  they 
were  reluctant  to  give  up  their  cherished  object,  and,  trusting  in 
God,  who  had  always  protected  them,  they  started  for  Rome,, 
where  they  arrived  on  the  6th  February. 

"I  am  informed,"  observes  Sir  Moses,  "that  there  are  3500 
Jews  here,  two-thirds  poor.  Four  times  a  year,  200  are  obliged 
to  attend  a  sermon  preached  in  church  for  their  conversion. 
Leo  XII.  had  deprived  them  of  their  privilege  of  keeping  shops 
and  warehouses  out  of  the  Ghetto.  But  the  present  most  ex- 
cellent Pontiff,  Gregory  XVI.,  has  permitted  them  to  have  ware- 
houses in  the  city.  He  frequently  sends  them  money  from  his 
own  purse,  and  is  always  willing  to  give  an  audience  to  their 
deputies  and  to  attend  to  their  requests. 

"  Yesterday  we  were  shown  some  very  rich  and  splendid  silk 
Damask,  embroidered  in  silver  and  gold,  for  hangings  for  the 
Synagogue,  Holy  Ark,  and  pulpit.  There  are  many  silver  bells, 
crowns,  and  chains,  enriched  with  precious  stones,  for  the  scrolls 
of  the  Holy  Law,  and  in  the  Synagogue  there  are  beautiful 
marbles,  mosaics,  and  columns." 

Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  did  not  prolong  their  stay 
in  Rome.  On  the  I3th  February  they  quitted  the  city  for 
Naples,  remaining  there  till  March  22nd,  when  they  again 
returned  to  Rome,  apartments  having  been  previously  taken  for 
them  at  54  Via  della  Fontanella  di  Borghese. 

It  was  now  nearly  four  years  since  I  had  first  the  pleasure  of 
meeting  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  in  London.  I  had 
since  that  time  been  travelling  in  Egypt,  Nubia,  Ethiopia,  Syria, 
and  the  Holy  Land,  and  had  during  these  travels  the  gratifica- 
tion to  receive  some  letters  from  Sir  Moses.  It  was  therefore  a 
very  pleasant  surprise  for  me  to  meet  them  in  Rome  and  to 
visit  with  them  the  museums,  picture  galleries,  and  most  places 
of  importance.  They  spoke  to  me  of  their  intended  pilgrimage 
to  Jerusalem,  and  invited  me  to  accompany  them.  Having  had 
many  opportunities  when  in  Eyn  Zetoon,  Upper  Galilee,  during 
the  revolt  of  the  Druses,  to  become  fully  acquainted  with  the 
character  and  peculiarities  of  the  various  classes  of  inhabitants 
of  the  land,  I  felt  a  great  interest  in  all  measures  that  could  be 
devised  for  the  improvement  of  their  condition  ;  and,  anticipating 
good  results  from  Sir  Moses'  visit  to  the  Holy  Land,  I  gladly 
accepted  the  invitation 


Disquieting  Rumours.  155 

On  the  28th  March  they  received  a  letter  from  the  Baroness 
James  de  Rothschild,  in  which  she  informed  them  that  intelli- 
gence had  been  received  from  the  Austrian  Consul  of  great 
military  preparations  being  made  in  Alexandria,  and  that  war 
would  not  long  be  delayed  between  the  Pasha  of  Egypt  and 
the  Sultan.  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore,  nothing  daunted 
by  the  news,  determined  not  to  relinquish  their  plans. 

They  were  frequently  visited  by  the  Abbate  Farrari  and 
Monsignor  Bruti,  two  ecclesiastics  of  liberal  ideas  and  agree- 
able manners,  who  kept  them  an  fait  of  all  interesting  cere- 
monies and  festivals  in  the  church,  presenting  them  with  tickets 
for  the  best  places  on  all  important  occasions. 

Signer  Pietro  Rittig,  of  Coblenz,  having  called  their  attention 
to  one  of  his  pictures  in  the  museum  of  modern  painters,  entitled 
"  Students  in  the  Academy  of  Painting,"  they  bought  it,  together 
with  several  others,  namely,  "A  Greek  Girl,"  by  Isidore ;  "A 
Buffalo,"  by  Linden;  "A  Mandoline,"  by  Cavalleri ;  "Two 
Peasants,"  by  Pelletti,  and  others. 

Signer  Salvadore  Taglicozzo  recommended  an  eminent 
scribe,  to  whom  Sir  Moses  gave  the  order  to  write  a  Pentateuch 
scroll  for  him,  also  to  procure  a  richly  embroidered  mantle 
for  it. 

During  the  Passover  festival  they  attended  Synagogue,  which 
was  very  crowded  and  splendidly  decorated.  They  were  much 
struck  by  the  presence  of  several  gendarmes  and  soldiers.  Two, 
with  fixed  bayonets,  were  placed  opposite  the  Ark  containing 
the  sacred  scrolls  of  law;  each  time  one  of  the  latter  was 
removed  or  returned,  they  presented  arms  as  a  mark  of  respect. 
Sir  Moses  remembered  having  seen  something  similar  in  the 
Great  Synagogue  of  Leghorn,  yet  it  had  always  appeared 
strange  to  him  that  in  a  building  bearing  the  appellation, 
"Temple  of  Peace,"  the  representatives  of  war  should  be  on 
duty,  carrying  with  them  implements  of  destruction  :  the  Altar 
of  the  Lord  being  considered,  according  to  an  injunction  of  Holy 
Writ,  as  desecrated  by  the  mere  touch  of  a  sword. 

Friday,  April  I2th—  We  left  Rome,  embarking  on  the  follow- 
ing Sunday  in  the  Sesostris  for  Malta,  where  we  arrived  on  the 

i  ;th. 

Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore,  requiring  some  rest  after  the 
voyage,  resolved  to  remain  there  a  lew  days.  He  called  on  the 


156       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore, 

Governor,  Sir  Henry  Bouverie,  to  present  to  him  his  letter  of 
introduction  from  Mr  Spring-Rice,  also  on  Admiral  Sir  Robert 
Stopford,  and  on  many  friends  whose  acquaintance  they  had 
made  on  a  former  visit  to  Malta.  He  had  not  long  returned  to 
the  hotel  when  an  invitation  came  from  the  Governor  for  Sir 
Moses,  Lady  Montefiore,  and  myself  to  dine  at  the  Palace  on  the 
following  Saturday. 

To  spend  her  time  usefully  and  agreeably,  Lady  Montefiore 
applied  herself  with  much  diligence  to  the  study  of  Arabic,  and 
both  she  and  Sir  Moses  read  daily  three  Psalms  in  Hebrew, 
which  they  requested  me  to  translate  into  English,  and  explain. 

The  old  agent  of  the  Silk  Company  called  on  them,  and  also 
Captain  Austen  of  the  BelleropJwn,  with  his  wife  and  daughter. 
The  representatives  of  the  Hebrew  community  in  the  Island 
came  to  pay  their  respects,  and  report  on  the  affairs  of  the 
Synagogue. 

April  2Qth. — They  attended  divine  service,  after  which  they 
paid  a  few  visits,  and  returned  to  their  hotel,  where  they  re- 
mained till  the  evening,  when  they  proceeded  to  the  Palace. 
The  Sabbath  not  being  yet  terminated,  Lady  Montefiore  went  in 
a  sedan-chair,  while  Sir  Moses  and  I  walked.  The  Governor  was 
in  full  uniform,  wearing  all  his  orders.  About  twenty-four  sat 
down  to  table,  amongst  whom  were  the  Duke  of  Devonshire  (just 
out  of  quarantine,  on  his  return  from  Constantinople),  Admiral 
Sir  Robert  Stopford  and  his  family,  Captain  Hyde  Parker,  Sir 
Hector  Gray,  Secretary  of  Government,  Lady  Stopford's  sister 
with  her  daughter,  the  Duke's  physician,  and  many  military 
officers.  Admiral  Stopford  took  Lady  Montefiore  down  to 
dinner,  and  promised  to  do  all  in  his  power  to  obtain  a  steam- 
boat to  take  them  to  Jaffa.  Both  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte- 
fiore were  much  pleased  with  their  reception  at  the  Palace. 

Monday  22nd. — Sir  Moses  and  I  dined  with  Sir  Hector 
Grey ;  it  was  a  gentleman's  party.  The  Governor,  the  Admiral 
and  his  son,  the  Duke  of  Devonshire,  Sir  John  Lewis,  Mr  Frere 
(uncle  of  the  late  Sir  Bartle  Frere),  Mr  Bourchier  (who  was 
private  secretary  to  Sir  Frederick  C.  Ponsonby,  Governor  of  the 
Island  in  1824),  Captain  Best,  Captain  Goulbourne,  and  two 
other  gentlemen  were  present. 

On  Wednesday  we  all  dined  with  the  Admiral,  and  met 
there  Sir  John  and  Lady  Mackenzie,  Captain  Cosnier,  Captain 


Quarantine  Precautions,  157 

Fisher,  and   several  other  naval  officers  of  distinction.     Lady 
Stopford  held  a  reception  afterwards,  which  was  well  attended. 

Sunday,  April  2.Wi.— The  French  Consul  sent  us  \hejournal 
de  Smyrne,  in  which  it  was  stated  that  accounts  had  been' 
received  that  the  plague  had  broken  out  in  Jerusalem,  and  that 
the  mortality  in  that  city  had  already  reached  from  forty  to  fifty 
per  day.  In  another  number  of  the  same  paper  information  was 
given  to  the  effect  that  letters  had  been  received  from  Cairo  that 
hostilities  had  commenced  in  Syria. 

Though  very  little  credit  was  attached  to  these  articles  they 
gave  us  all  some  uneasiness,  and  in  consequence  of  a  renewed 
report  of  the  plague,  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  went  to 
the  quarantine  harbour,  where  they  saw  the  captain  of  the 
Blazer,  lately  arrived  from  Beyrout.  He  informed  them  that 
Mr  and  Mrs  Freemantle  were  in  Fort  Manuel,  after  returning 
from  the  Holy  Land.  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  then 
called  on  Mr  and  Mrs  Freemantle,  who  informed  them  that 
while  they  were  in  Jerusalem  the  plague  was  raging  there,  and 
they  had  to  perform  eighteen  days  quarantine  before  entering 
Beyrout,  but  they  believed  the  city  to  be  now  healthy,  although 
Sir  Moses  would  probably  find  Jerusalem  shut  up,  as  the  warm 
weather  would  bring  back  the  plague.  They  gave  a  most  dis- 
tressing account  of  the  Jews  under  the  present  government.  All 
were  more  or  less  ill-treated,  many  being  actually  in  slavery. 
Mr  Freemantle  said  that  the  Jews  were  looking  most  anxiously 
for  the  arrival  of  Sir  Moses. 

Friday,  May  yd. — Sir  Moses  took  leave  of  the  Admiral,  and 
then  went  to  the  Palace,  and  there  met  H.R.H.  Prince  George  of 
Cambridge,  who  received  him  most  kindly,  and  they  had  a 
friendly  conversation. 

Soon  after  twelve,  having  taken  leave  of  his  remaining 
friends,  Sir  Moses  went  with  Lady  Montefiore  to  the  quarantine 
harbour,  thence  in  a  boat  to  the  Megara,  a  steam  vessel.  Captain 
Goldsmith,  the  commander,  received  them  on  board,  and  at  two 
o'clock  we  left  the  harbour  for  Alexandria. 

Wednesday,  May  8t/i. — This  morning,  soon  after  six,  land 
was  discovered,  the  masts  of  the  ships  in  the  harbour  being  the 
first  objects  caught  sight  of.  A  pilot  came  on  board  about 
eight.  As  we  entered  the  port  the  French  steamer  for  Mar- 
seilles left,  so  that  we  just  missed  the  opportunity  of  sending 


158       Diaries  of  Sir  Closes  and  Lady  Montcjiorc. 

letters  by  her.  We  were  much  amused  at  the  great  precautions 
taken  by  the  people  who  came  alongside  in  the  boat  belonging 
to  the  Board  of  Health.  They  received  our  Bill  of  Health, 
which  we  had  brought  from  Malta,  with  a  pair  of  tongs,  every 
one  alarmed  lest  he  should  touch  it ;  it  was  opened  with  the  aid 
of  the  tongs  and  a  thin  iron  rod ;  but  as  soon  as  they  saw  that 
it  was  a  clean  bill,  certifying  that  at  the  date  of  our  leaving 
Malta  was  free  from  plague  and  every  other  contagious  dis- 
temper, the  officers  came  on  board  with  Colonel  Campbell's 
janissary. 

Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  now  landed,  proceeding  to 
an  hotel,  where  they  remained  overnight ;  and  the  next  morning 
we  all  rode  off  to  the  Custom  House,  opposite  to  which  wre 
found  the  Megarcts  boat,  which  Captain  Goldsmith  had  politely 
sent  to  take  us  on  board. 

Sir  Moses  took  particular  note  of  the  Pasha's  troops.  There 
were  on  the  quay  about  a  thousand  soldiers  ;  they  all  appeared 
to  him  to  be  quite  little  boys,  scarce  able  to  carry  a  musket ;  he 
did  not  believe  any  were  above  fourteen  years  old,  while  some 
seemed  not  more  than  nine.  "  If  the  troops  are  all  like  these," 
he  said,  "  Heaven  help  Mohhammad  Ali ! " 

Saturday,  May  nth. — At  an  early  hour  the  anchor  was  cast 
in  the  Bay  of  Beyrout,  but  we  remained  on  board  ship  till  the 
evening,  when  the  commander  conducted  us  on  shore  in  his 
boat.  As  the  boat  left  the  ship  all  the  company  on  board, 
comprising  officers  and  men,  saluted  Sir  Moses  and  Lady 
Montefiore  with  many  huzzas. 

We  repaired  to  the  house  selected  for  us  by  Mr  Niven 
Moore,  the  British  Consul,  and  in  the  morning  Sir  Moses  paid 
his  respects  to  the  Governor,  Mohamed  Bey,  who  received  him 
most  politely.  He  asked  him  for  letters  of  introduction  to  the 
governors  of  several  towns  which  it  was  probable  we  should 
visit,  also  his  assistance  to  procure  horses  for  us,  all  of  which 
he  promised.  We  then  went  to  the  English  Consul,  who  sent 
in  the  course  of  the  day  his  janissary  to  attend  Sir  Moses  while 
we  continued  in  Beyrout. 

Several  representatives  of  the  Hebrew  community  called  to 
welcome  them,  and  many  letters  from  Jerusalem,  Hebron, 
Safed,  and  Tiberias  were  handed  to  them  by  special  messenger* 
They  have  all  been  anxiously  looking  forward  to  their  arrival 


Arrival  in  the  Holy  Land.  159 

in  the  Holy  Land,  "but  our  visit,"  Sir  Moses  observed,  "is  not 
the  most  timely  for  our  comfort,  pleasure,  or  safety ;  the 
political  state  of  the  country  is  most  unsatisfactory  and  uncer- 
tain ;  a  single  day  may  bring  about  a  complete  change  in  the 
government  of  Syria  and  Palestine.  The  forces  of  the  Sultan 
have  certainly  crossed  the  frontier,  and  Ibrahim  Pasha  will 
positively  resist  any  further  advance.  Mohhammad  Ali  has  sunt 
his  son  every  man  he  had  at  his  disposal." 

Monday,  i$f/i. — Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  rode  on 
horseback  to  the  Synagogue,  which  was  very  full  in  honour  of 
their  visit.  We  were  told  that  there  were  sixty  Jewish  families 
in  Beyrout,  none  of  them  rich.  During  the  day  they  received 
visits  from  the  Rev.  Mr  and  Mrs  Thompson  of  the  American 
Mission,  and  also  from  many  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  the 
Jewish  community.  Mr  Ed.  Kilbee,  of  the  firm  of  Kilbce, 
Haugh  &  Co.,  Bankers,  came  to  inform  Sir  Moses  that  he  could* 
find  no  one  to  take  charge  of  the  money  for  Jerusalem.  Sir 
Moses  immediately  wrote  to  the  Governor  to  request  that  he 
would  provide  him  with  messengers  to  carry  the  money  to 
Safed,  Tiberias,  and  Jerusalem.  The  Governor  wrote  a  very 
civil  answer,  but  regretted  he  could  not  comply  with  this 
request.  He  then  addressed  himself  to  the  British  Consul,  but 
no  answer  reached  him  that  day. 

The  next  morning  the  Consul's  dragoman  came  with  a 
message  that  he  had  been  with  the  Governor,  who  was  ex- 
tremely sorry  not  to  be  able  to  provide  us  with  an  escort,  but 
the  roads  were  not  so  unsafe  as  reported,  and  he  hoped  a  large 
party,  well  armed  like  ours,  would  travel  with  safety.  Sir 
Moses  was  much  troubled  in  making  the  arrangements,  to  divide 
the  money  into  smaller  parcels,  putting  these  into  bags  and 
baskets,  altogether  eleven.  This  we  were  obliged  to  do  our- 
selves. Mr  Kilbee  passed  some  time  with  us,  giving  us  much 
encouragement,  though  he  was  unable  to  find  any  person  who 
would  risk  taking  the  money,  either  to  Safed,  Tiberias,  Jeru- 
salem, or  Hebron,  in  spite  of  the  most  tempting  offers.  Sir 
Moses  imploring  the  protection  of  the  Almighty,  we  set  forward 
on  our  pilgrimage  at  4  P.M. 

The  way  was  over  sand  and  through  stony  lanes,  which 
opened  on  a  sandy  plain  ;  we  rested  at  Beer  Hassan,  till  our 
luggage  came  up.  There  were  fourteen  mules  and  three  horses, 


1 60       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

besides  several  donkeys  for  the  moukeries.  Having  taken  some 
coffee  we  proceeded  on  our  way.  The  scenery  was  beautiful, 
especially  the  mountains  of  Lebanon,  many  of  the  highest 
being  covered  with  snow.  At  eight  we  reached  Khdn  Khdldah, 
the  "Mutatio  Heldua,"  accorking  to  Pococke,  in  the  Jerusalem 
Itinerary. 

"Thanks  to  Heaven,"  says  Sir  Moses,  "we  rested  well  in  our 
tent,  and  set  forward  on  our  journey  the  next  day,  May  I5th,  at 
five.  We  rode  on  till  one,  then  reposed  till  three  o'clock  under 
a  mulberry  tree ;  they  were  cutting  off  the  young  boughs  and 
gathering  the  leaves.  The  road  ran  on  the  sands  and  rocks 
close  to  the  sea.  At  three  we  sent  off  our  tents  and  baggage  to 
Ndhr  el  Kasmiyah,  said  to  be  three  hours'  distance,  and  we 
followed.  Before  reaching  Sidon,  we  were  met  by  many  Jews, 
the  representatives  of  congregations ;  they  said  they  had  been 
waiting  three  hours  for  us.  They  accompanied  us  to  the  tomb 
of  Zebulon,  where  we  recited  prayers.  We  then  took  leave  of 
our  brethren  and  continued  riding  till  seven  o'clock,  when  I  was 
so  fatigued  I  could  go  no  further.  A  mat  was  spread  in  a 
garden  near  the  water,  and  I  gladly  threw  myself  upon  it.  We 
sent  a  man  to  order  our  tents  to  be  brought  back.  In  about  an 
hour  great  screams  were  heard  ;  we  sent  to  see  what  was  the 
matter,  when  it  was  ascertained  that  the  cries  proceeded  from 
our  messenger  who  had  gone  for  the  tent.  He  said  he  had  been 
attacked,  severely  beaten,  and  his  donkey  almost  killed.  This 
intelligence  alarmed  Dr  Loewe  very  much  for  the  safety  of  our 
lives,  to  say  nothing  of  our  luggage.  He  remained  walking 
round  our  mats  during  the  night,  with  his  loaded  pistols,  Judith 
and  I  having  ours  under  our  heads.  About  midnight  we  with 
difficulty  persuaded  two  men  to  ride  after  our  luggage  to  see 
what  had  become  of  it ;  they  returned  at  three  in  the  morning 
with  the  news  of  its  being  all  safe.  Our  road  after  passing 
Sidon  was  like  going  through  a  beautiful  garden.  At  a  short 
distance  on  our  right  we  had  a  view  of  the  sea,  on  our  left 
mountains;  they  were  pretty  well  cultivated — wheat,  barley, 
figs  and  mulberries ;  but  few  can  imagine  the  anxiety  we 
suffered  during  the  ni;;ht,  when  we  were  exposed  to  the  winds 
of  heaven." 

Thursday,  May  i6th. — We  started  at  6  A.M.,  and  rode  till 
nine,  after  which  we  reposed  for  some  time.  We  met  three 


First  Glimpse  of  Safe d.  161 

persons  sent  from  Safed  with  letters  from  the  Spiritual  Head  of 
the  community  to  welcome  us ;  he  was  at  Tiberias,  and  pre- 
vented by  indisposition  from  coming  to  meet  us.  We  rested  in 
a  beautiful  valley,  noticing  much  cattle,  small  cows,  calves,  and 
a  number  of  goats.  We  then  crossed  the  Nahr  el  Kasmiyah,  a 
river  which  divides  the  lot  of  Asher  from  that  of  Dan. 

There  was  a  heavy  dew  in  the  night.  Sir  Moses  was  much 
fatigued,  and  still  felt  the  bad  effects  of  having  slept  exposed  to 
the  night  air  on  the  previous  day.  The  next  morning  was 
cloudy  ;  we  started  at  five  o'clock,  riding  over  mountains  and 
through  fertile  valleys  till  ten.  While  resting,  we  received  a 
letter  by  a  private  messenger  from  the  three  representatives  of 
the  Hebrew  Congregation  at  Safed,  where  each  had  prepared 
his  own  house  for  our  use,  and  was  waiting  to  receive  us.  About 
two  hours  later  we  caught  the  first  glimpse  of  Safed.  The  town 
looked  very  beautiful,  being  situate  on  the  summit  of  the  moun- 
tain, which  was  crowned  with  beautiful  olive  trees  of  immense 
growth  and  great  age. 


CHAPTER  XX. 
1839. 

RECEPTION  AT  SAFED — SAD  CONDITION  OF  THE  PEOPLE — SIR 
MOSES'  PROJECT  FOR  THE  CULTIVATION  OF  THE  LAND  IN 
PALESTINE  BY  THE  JEWS— DEATH  OF  THE  CHIEF  RABBI  OF 
THE  GERMAN  CONGREGATION  IN  JERUSALEM — TIBERIAS. 

AFTER  four  hours'  ride  we  met  two  of  the  chiefs  of  the 
Portuguese  community,  sent  to  escort  us  as  a  guard  of 
honour.  On  reaching  half-way  up  the  mountain,  the  eccle- 
siastical chief  of  the  German  Hebrew  community,  accompanied 
by  many  of  his  congregation,  came  to  welcome  us.  He  is 
an  old  man  of  benevolent  countenance.  I  dismounted,  giving 
the  chief  my  horse  to  ride.  This  special  mark  of  respect  I 
showed  to  him  in  commemoration  of  the  holy  resignation  mani- 
fested by  the  venerable  chief  only  a  year  before  on  the  occasion 
of  the  revolt  of  the  Druses  against  Mohhammad  Ali.  These 
marauders,  having  pillaged  and  maltreated  the  whole  com- 
munity, wished  to  enforce  from  them  an  additional  sum  of  five 
hundred  Turkish  purses  or  ^2500,  a  sum  which  of  course  the 
Hebrews  could  not  produce.  The  Druses  thereupon  bound  the 
aged  chief  hand  and  foot,  and  laying  the  edge  of  a  naked  sword 
upon  his  neck,  threatened  to  instantly  sever  his  head  if  the 
demanded  sum  were  not  handed  over  without  delay.  The  good 
man  did  not  ask  them  to  spare  his  life,  which  he  would  willingly 
sacrifice  to  save  his  community  ;  all  he  requested  of  them  was 
to  allow  a  little  clean  water  to  be  poured  over  his  hands,  that  he 
might  recite  a  prayer  and  acknowledge  the  justice  of  God  in  all 
His  ways.  At  this  a  heartrending  cry  burst  from  all  present, 
and  even  the  Druses  themselves  appear  to  have  been  touched. 
They  withdrew  the  sword  and  entered  upon  some  arrangements 
with  the  community,  who  had  to  borrow  the  required  amount 
from  some  of  the  convents.  I  had  been  to  see  him  the  day 


Reception  at  Safed.  i6-» 

after  this  occurrence,  and  found  him  reciting  his  morning  prayers 
as  calmly  as  if  nothing  had  happened. 

Sir  Moses  in  his  description  of  the  journey  continues — "  As 
we  were  descending  the  mountain  a  man,  who  had  been  placed 
there  to  give  notice  to  the  inhabitants  of  our  approach,  fired  a 
musket,  and  the  salute  was  answered  by  our  party,  who  dis- 
charged their  guns  and  pistols.  Our  firing  had  a  cheerful  effect, 
as  the  echo  was  taken  up  by  the  distant  hills.  We  were  soon 
met  by  Signor  Mirrachi  (ecclesiastical  chief  of  the  Portuguese 
community)  with  a  great  number  of  his  congregation.  He 
expressed  his  regret  that  I  would  not  accept  the  house  he  had 
prepared  for  us.  The  scene  became  most  interesting.  Men, 
women,  and  children  covered  the  sides  and  top  of  the  hill  as 
well  as  the  roofs  of  all  houses ;  but  I  was  nearly  dead  with 
fatigue." 

As  soon  as  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  reached  their 
apartments,  preparations  were  made  for  the  Sabbath,  but  Sir 
Moses  had  not  the  strength  to  walk  to  Synagogue.  He  had 
for  some  time  expressed  uneasiness  lest  we  should  not  reach  the 
town  before  sunset,  yet  he  had  the  happiness  of  seeing  the  sun 
above  the  horizon,  after  we  had  entered  our  house." 

By  special  invitation  ten  gentlemen  were  soon  with  him  in 
his  room,  and  the  evening  service  was  commenced,  but  he  could 
scarcely  stand,  and  as  soon  as  prayers  were  ended  he  retired. 
The  following  day  Sir  Moses  being  still  too  unwell  to  leave  his 
bed,  numbers  of  visitors  called  to  enquire  after  his  health,  all 
expressing  their  regret  at  his  indisposition. 

During  the  next  two  days,  on  which  the  festival  of  Pentecost 
was  celebrated,  Sir  Moses  recovered  sufficiently  to  accompany 
Lady  Montefiore  to  the  Portuguese  Synagogue,  where  a  sacred 
scroll  of  great  antiquity  is  preserved.  On  Sir  Moses  being  called 
to  the  rostrum  to  pronounce  the  blessing,  the  portion  of  the  day 
was  read  to  him  out  of  the  above  scroll. 

On  the  following  day,  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  re- 
ceived visits  from  the  governor,  judge,  and  all  other  dignitaries 
of  the  place.  Some  of  the  Druses  also  intimated  their  desire  to 
come  and  pay  their  respects,  but  upon  my  suggestion  this  was 
declined,  it  being  considered  undesirable  to  encourage  their 
presence  in  Safed. 

Having   been   amongst  the  sufferers   at  the  time  of  their 


1 64       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

invasion  of  this  place  the  year  before,  I  surmised  the  object  they 
had  in  view,  in  seeking  to  come  with  their  friends  to  see  the 
English  pilgrims. 

Tuesday,  May  2.1st. — Sir  Moses  now  occupied  himself  in 
obtaining  information  as  to  the  actual  state  of  the  Jews  in  this 
city,  as  well  as  the  probable  prospect  of  success  for  his  project, 
viz.,  to  encourage  the  Jews  and  enable  them  to  gain  a  liveli- 
hood by  the  cultivation  of  the  land.  They  had  frequent  inter- 
views with  T.  and  N.  Drucker,  two  clever  and  enterprising  men, 
father  and  son,  who  had  come  originally  from  Poland,  and  had 
possessed  a  handsome  fortune.  They  had  brought  with  them  a 
printing  press,  and  had  printed  prayer-books.  They  had  also 
begun  to  print  a  Bible,  when  the  Druses  came,  destroyed  their 
press,  robbed  them  of  all  their  property,  and  beat  them  most 
unmercifully,  breaking  the  father's  thigh,  so  that  he  barely 
escaped  with  his  life. 

Wednesday,  May  22nd. — All  the  afternoon  was  spent  both  by 
Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  in  seeing  people,  in  listening  to 
their  complaints  and  sorrows,  and  also  in  obtaining  information 
respecting  the  cultivation  of  land.  The  German  and  Portuguese 
Chief  Rabbis  came,  and  after  some  conversation,  Sir  Moses 
decided  to  distribute  personally  the  money  he  had  brought  for 
the  relief  of  the  sufferers  by  the  earthquake,  according  to  the 
number  of  souls.  A  Spanish  dollar  was  given  to  every  man, 
woman,  and  child  over  thirteen,  while  two  dollars  were  given  to 
the  blind,  and  no  distinction  was  made  between  Portuguese  and 
German.  The  money  sent  from  London  soon  after  the  earth- 
quake had  been  distributed  by  the  Portuguese,  who  gave  the 
greatest  part  to  those  learned  in  our  Holy  Law,  leaving  but 
little  for  all  the  other  sufferers,  which  Sir  Moses  considered 
unjust.  The  spiritual  head  of  the  German  congregation,  the 
Rev.  A.  Dob,  said  that  the  money  was  divided  amongst  their 
congregation  according  to  the  amount  of  loss  sustained  by  ea:h 
individual.  Nor  did  the  German  committee  ever  retain  one 
penny  more  for  themselves  than  for  the  other  members  of  the 
congregation.  "This,"  said  Sir  Moses,  "appears  to  me  the 
most  honest  way  of  acting." 

The  Portuguese  gentlemen,  however,  in  justification  of  their 
own  course  of  action  in  this  matter,  explained  that  those  who 
are  engaged  in  imparting  religious  instruction  to  the  community, 


Sad  Condition  of  the  People.  165 

taking  charge  of  all  their  institutions,  devoting  their  time  to  the 
interest  of  the  rising  generation,  having  no  business  or  occupa- 
tion that  would  adequately  secure  their  maintenance,  ought 
naturally  to  have  some  additional  share  in  the  offerings  of  their 
wealthier  brethren  abroad,  offerings  intended  not  only  for  the 
relief  of  distress,  but  also  for  the  preservation  of  a  religious  com- 
munity. The  same,  they  said,  would  be  done  in  Europe,  where 
the  teachers  in  schools  and  colleges,  or  the  managers  of  com- 
munal institutions,  happen  to  be  without  income  or  salary  for 
their  maintenance. 

Sir  Moses  having  inspected  the  new  buildings,  regretted  to 
find  that  most  of  them  were  but  poor  miserable  hovels,  built 
over  the  ruins  of  the  old  ones,  high  up  the  hill,  close  to  the  edge 
of  the  mountain,  so  that  the  slightest  shock  of  earthquake  would 
bury  the  inhabitants  one  above  the  other  without  hope  of  escape. 
The  houses  were  built  on  the  side  of  the  mountain,  row  above 
row.  On  inquiring  the  reason  of  this,  he  was  informed  that  by 
building  over  the  old  houses  they  were  saved  the  expense  of 
making  excavations,  these  being  already  there ;  they  had  no 
fear  of  earthquakes,  all  they  dreaded  being  the  Mooslemin 
inhabitants  and  the  visits  of  the  Druses. 

Thursday,  May  2$rd. — At  ten  we  rode  to  Djermek,  a  village 
two  hours  distant,  to  the  farm  of  Israel  Drucker,  one  of  his 
tenants  having  a  son  who  was  to  be  received  that  day  into  the 
covenant  of  Abraham.  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  had 
been  invited  to  act  as  god-parents  to  the  child. 

On  reaching  the  house  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  were 
most  respectfully  saluted,  and  the  ceremony  was  immediately 
performed.  We  then  sat  down  for  a  short  time  to  partake  of 
some  refreshment ;  and,  having  offered  presents  and  congratu- 
lations to  the  parents  of  the  infant,  we  descended  the  mountain, 
to  visit  the  tomb  of  R.  Simeon  ben  Yokhaf,  in  Miroon.  There 
we  were  met  by  the  principal  inhabitants  of  Safed. 

We  then  visited  the  tomb  of  Hillel,  celebrated  in  Jewish  his- 
tory for  his  great  learning  and  for  his  noble  character  and 
humility.  "  One  of  the  most  interesting  sights,"  says  Sir  Moses, 
"  I  have  seen  in  the  Holy  Land.  There  is  one  cave  within  the 
other,  a  spring  of  the  clearest  water  flowing  through  both ;  it 
appears  to  spring  from  the  spot  where  the  mortal  remains  of 
Hillel  repose.  In  the  vicinity  of  the  tomb  we  saw  a  splendid 


1 66       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

marble  portal  of  a  Synagogue  now  in  ruins ;  the  marble  was 
handsomely  carved,  and  many  of  the  stones  adjoining  the  portal 
were  still  standing,  all  of  them  being  of  great  size." 

Friday,  May  i^tJi. — Sir  Moses  was  again  engaged  from  nine  to 
six  with  the  distribution  of  the  money.  He  also  gave  special 
donations  to  the  heads  of  schools  and  colleges,  and  endeavoured 
to  alleviate  the  distress  among  the  poor  of  all  non-Israelitish 
communities.  Sir  Moses  found  his  brethren  most  anxious  to  be 
employed  and  to  earn  their  own  bread.  They  appeared  to  prefer 
the  cultivation  of  land  as  the  most  likely  means  to  raise  them 
from  their  present  destitute  condition.  There  were  a  few  Jews 
who  had  some  interest  with  Mussulmans  in  cultivating  some 
small  farms  about  three  or  four  hours  from  Safed,  but  their 
means  were  so  limited  that  they  could  ill  afford  to  keep  a  pair 
of  oxen  to  till  the  ground.  There  was  no  lack  of  spirit,  and  Sir 
Moses  thought  that  some  trifling  assistance  from  the  proper 
persons  in  Europe  would  speedily  restore  health  and  plenty, 
should  such  be  the  will  of  Heaven. 

On  the  same  day  we  received  the  sad  tidings  of  the  death  of 
the  Rev.  Israel,  Chief  Rabbi  of  the  German  congregation  in 
Jerusalem,  which  had  taken  place  at  Tiberias  on  the  22nd  inst. 
It  had  been  his  intention  to  come  to  Sir  Moses  to  welcome  him 
and  Lady  Montefiore  on  their  entry  into  the  Holy  Land.  He 
was  renowned  for  his  great  learning  and  noble  character,  which 
he  had  so  often  manifested  in  the  performance  of  his  official 
duties,  as  spiritual  guide  of  the  community ;  and  being  a  disciple 
of  the  celebrated  Rabbi  Eliahu  VVilna,  he  was  held  in  high 
esteem  by  all  the  congregations  in  the  four  holy  cities.  Both 
Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  were  much  affected  by  the 
mournful  event,  and  lost  no  time  in  considering  what  steps  should 
be  taken  to  evince  their  sympathy  with  the  bereaved  family. 

The  following  day  being  Sabbath,  they  attended  divine  ser- 
vice, afterwards  receiving  numerous  visits  from  the  inhabitants 
of  the  place.  One  gentleman  from  Tiberias  gave  a  most  melan- 
choly account  of  the  state  of  the  country  ;  he  assured  them  that 
the  roads  to  Jerusalem  were  very  unsafe,  and  the  plague  actually 
in  the  city.  Only  a  few  days  before  the  holidays  the  son-in-law 
of  the  late  Rev.  Israel,  and  his  servant,  had  died  of  it. 

The  visits  they  received  from  the  Druses  caused  us  much  un- 
easiness, as  we  apprehended  an  attack  from  their  body  to  plunder 


Project  for  Cultivation  of  the  Land.  167 

not  only  us,  but  all  Jews  in  the  town  ;  and  we  should  have  pro- 
ceeded early  the  next  morning  to  Tiberias  had  we  not  feared 
such  a  course  would  give  the  appearance  of  flight. 

The  heads  of  the  Portuguese  and  German  congregations  came 
to  pay  their  respects  to  Sir  Moses  and'  Lady  Montefiore.  Two 
of  these  gentlemen,  the  Rev.  Abraham  Shoshana  and  Samuel 
Aboo,  were  land  owners  in  a  neighbouring  village,  and  gave 
their  opinion  on  the  subject  of  agriculture.  Sir  Moses,  referring 
in  his  diary  to  their  conversation,  says : 

"  From  all  information  I  have  been  able  to  gather,  the  land  in 
this  neighbourhood  appears  to  be  particularly  favourable  for  agri- 
cultural speculation.  There  are  groves  of  olive  trees,  I  should 
think,  more  than  five  hundred  years  old,  vineyards,  much  pasture, 
plenty  of  wells  and  abundance  of  excellent  water  ;  also  fig  trees, 
walnuts,  almonds,  mulberries,  &c.,  and  rich  fields  of  wheat,  barley, 
and  lentils ;  in  fact  it  is  a  land  that  would  produce  almost  every- 
thing in  abundance,  with  very  little  skill  and  labour.  I  am  sure  if 
the  plan  I  have  in  contemplation  should  succeed,  it  will  be  the 
means  of  introducing  happiness  and  plenty  into  the  Holy  Land. 
In  the  first'instance,  I  shall  apply  to  Mohhammad  Ali  for  a  grant 
of  land  for  fifty  years;  some  one  or  two  hundred  villages; 
giving  him  an  increased  rent  of  from  ten  to  twenty  percent,  and 
paying  the  whole  in  money  annually  at  Alexandria,  but  the  land 
and  villages  to  be  free,  during  the  whole  term,  from  every  tax 
or  rate  either  of  Pasha  or  governor  of  the  several  districts  ;  and 
liberty  Seing  accorded  to  dispose  of  the  produce  in  any  quarter 
of  the  globe.  This  grant  obtained,  I  shall,  please  Heaven,  on 
my  return  to  England,  form  a  company  for  the  cultivation  of  the 
land  and  the  encouragement  of  our  brethren  in  Europe  to  return  to 
Palestine.  Many  Jews  now  emigrate  to  New  South  Wales,  Canada, 
&c. ;  but  in  the  Holy  Land  they  would  find  a  greater  certainty 
of  success  ;  here  they  will  find  wells  already  dug,  olives  and  vines 
already  planted,  and  a  land  so  rich  as  to  require  little  manure. 
By  degrees  I  hope  to  induce  the  return  of  thousands  of  our 
brethren  to  the  Land  of  Israel.  I  am  sure  they  would  be  happy 
in  the  enjoyment  of  the  observance  of  our  holy  religion,  in  a 
manner  which  is  impossible  in  Europe." 

The  scene  we  witnessed  yesterday  amply  repaid  us  for  the 
fatigues  of  the  journey.  We  saw  nearly  every  individual  inhabi- 
tant of  Safed.  Sir  Moses  gave  to  each  at  least  one  Spanish 


1 68       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montcfiore. 

dollar,  and  some  fathers  of  families  received  eight  or  ten  dollars. 
To  those  persons  who  came  to  meet  him  and  Lady  Montefiore 
atNahrel  Rasmiyah,  fifteen  hours' journey  from  Safed,  and  who, 
when  invited  to  sleep  in  the  tent,  preferred,  from  their  intense 
love  to  the  country,  to  sl'eep  in  the  open  air  of  the  Holy  Land, 
he  made  handsome  presents.  "  I  hope,"  said  Sir  Moses  in  the 
course  of  conversation,  "  that  the  money  I  have  had  the  pleasure 
of  distributing  yesterday,  will  produce  some  comfort  and  give 
assistance  to  the  Jews  in  Safed,  especially  in  their  present  forlorn 
situation.  Their  sufferings  during  the  last  five  years  must  have 
been  truly  deplorable.  First  the  plundering  of  the  inhabitants, 
then  the  earthquake,  and  finally  the  attack  by  the  Druses,  to  fill  the 
cup  of  their  misfortune.  At  the  present  moment  the  ruins  of  the 
town  present  an  awful  spectacle  of  destruction  ;  the  few  miser- 
able hovels  they  have  erected  are  for  the  most  part  little  better 
than  caves,  more  fit  for  the  beast  of  the  field  than  for  human 
beings.  Many  are  merely  four  mud  walls,  with  a  mat  for  a  roof. 
I  think  the  poverty  of  the  Jews  in  Safed  to  be  great  beyond  any- 
thing that  can  be  imagined  either  in  England  or  on  the  Continent 
of  Europe ;  it  must  be  seen  to  be  credited.  I  am  informed,  and  do 
believe,  that  many  are  actually  starving,  and  that  great  numbers 
died  last  year  of  hunger.  Nearly  all  are  stamped  with  want  and 
wretchedness,  though  many  of  them  are  tall  men  and  have 
handsome  features.  The  women  are  very  pretty ;  they  have  large 
black  eyes,  are  of  refined  manners,  and  exhibit  much  intelligence 
in  their  conversation.  I  have  found  all  the  men  anxious  to  be 
employed  in  agriculture." 

Monday,  May  2jth. — We  repaired  early  in  the  morning  to 
the  house  of  the  spiritual  head  of  the  German  congregation, 
where  we  attended  divine  service.  His  wife,  who  had  prepared 
quite  a  treat  for  us,  consisting  of  coffee,  sweetmeats,  wine  and 
cakes,  gave  us  a  most  hearty  welcome.  In  the  presence  of  the 
reverend  gentleman  Sir  Moses  engaged  one  of  the  scribes  to 
write  a  scroll  of  the  Pentateuch  for  his  Synagogue  at  Ramsgate, 
The  first  sheet  of  the  parchment  was  at  once  prepared,  and  he 
had  the  happiness  of  writing  the  first  three  words.  Sir  Moses 
on  his  return  affixed  his  signature  to  an  Arabic  letter,  which  he 
had  requested  me  to  prepare  at  the  urgent  entreaties  of  all  the 
inhabitants,  praying  the  Governor  oi  St  Jean  d'Acre  to  send 
them  some  soldiers  for  their  protection. 


Reception  by  the  People.  169 

On  the  same  day  at  half-past  twelve  we  set  out  on  our  way 
to  Tiberias.  In  spite  of  Sir  Moses'  entreaties  for  them  to 
return,  we  were  accompanied  for  about  half-an-hour  by  the 
principal  authorities  and  most  of  the  people  of  the  town,  who, 
in  taking  leave,  called  down  upon  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte- 
iiore  all  the  blessings  of  heaven. 

We  passed  through  a  beautiful  country,  a  very  long  descent, 
winding  round  hills  covered  with  olives,  figs,  and  pomegranates. 
In  the  plain  we  saw  the  richest  land  imaginable,  though  but  a 
very  small  part  of  it  was  under  cultivation,  large  fields  being 
•covered  with  thistles  five  and  six  feet  high.  The  path  was  rocky 
and  difficult.  After  riding  three  hours  we  reached  the  plain, 
and  dismounting  near  a  stream  of  water  reposed  for  an  hour. 
Our  road  then  lay  near  the  foot  of  the  mountains ;  it  was  one 
continual  ascent  and  descent.  When  we  were  about  two  hours' 
ride  from  Tiberias,  while  saying  the  afternoon  prayers,  we  heard 
the  sound  of  the  darabuca  (Turkish  drum),  with  shouts  of  joy, 
and  soon  beheld  a  large  party  coming  to  meet  us,  dancing  and 
singing.  They  joined  us  in  prayer,  and  when  we  had  finished, 
the  head  of  the  German  congregation  bade  us  welcome  in 
glowing  terms.  We  then  proceeded  on  our  way,  the  people 
dancing  and  running  before  us,  playing  on  the  drum  and  fife, 
and  singing  in  Hebrew  in  a  general  chorus.  The  spiritual 
heads  of  both  German  and  Portuguese  communities  and  the 
principal  representatives  of  all  scholastic  and  charitable  institu- 
tions of  the  town  now  joined  our  cavalcade.  They  were  all 
singing  in  Arabic  and  Hebrew,  to  express  their  delight  at  our 
visit  to  their  city.  We  had  gone  but  a  short  distance  when  we 
were  met  by  the  Mooselim  or  Governor,  well  mounted  and 
armed,  and  attended  by  about  a  dozen  officers  and  servants. 
He  told  Sir  Moses  he  came  to  offer  him  his  services  and  to  do 
him  honour,  and  that  in  this  Holy  Land  he  respected  persons  of 
all  religions.  He  directed  his  soldiers  to  skirmish  up  and  down 
the  sides  of  the  mountain,  charging  and  retreating  tor  our  amuse- 
ment. The  Cadi  (Judge)  and  his  son  also  joined  our  party, 
paying  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  many  compliments. 

"  The  evening,"  says  Lady  Montefiore,  "  was  beautiful,  and 
the  gaiety  of  the  scene  beyond  my  feeble  powers  of  description  ; 
the  music,  singing,  and  dancing  of  the  people,  the  firing  of  guns, 
the  horsemen  at  lull  gallop  up  and  down  the  steep  sides  01  the 


1 70       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

mountain,  discharging  their  pistols,  throwing  the  jareed,  stop- 
ping their  horses  when  at  full  speed,  and  then  riding  round  our 
party;  and  now,  as  we  approached  the  town,  the  moon  shone 
brightly  on  the  lake  ;  it  was  a  complete  fairy  scene.  At  a  short 
distance  from  the  town  we  were  met  by  a  great  concourse 
of  people,  men,  women,  and'  children,  many  bearing  large 
torches.  They  formed,  as  it  were,  a  lane  on  either  side  for 
us  to  pass  through,  the  same  merriment,  music,  singing,  and 
dancing  continuing.  We  found  the  whole  town  illuminated, 
it  was  as  light  as  in  the  day ;  we  were  saluted  on  all  sides 
with  expressions  of  joy  and  heart-felt  wishes.  Not  only  were 
the  streets  crowded,  but  even  the  roofs  of  houses  were  covered 
with  gaily-attired  females.  All  cheered  us  as  we  passed,  joining 
in  the  chorus,  '  They  are  come,  they  are  come,  our  happiness  is 
come.'  Never  will  the  scene  be  effaced  from  our  memory." 

We  proceeded  to  the  house  of  Rev.  H.  N.  Abu-el-afia,  which 
he  had  prepared  for  our  reception.  Here  the  Governor  and 
good  people  took  their  leave,  thinking  we  must  need  repose 
after  so  much  fatigue.  All  appeared  greatly  pleased,  Mussul- 
mans as  well  as  Jews.  The  house  looked  very  clean  and 
comfortable,  with  good  sized  rooms  neatly  furnished  in  the 
Turkish  style.  Mrs  Abu-el-afia,  a  pretty  and  clever  woman, 
made  us  partake  of  some  coffee  and  sherbet,  which  was  soon- 
followed  by  a  good  supper. 


CHAPTER     XXI. 

1839. 

INVITATION  FROM  THE  PORTUGUESE  CONGREGATION  AT 
JERUSALEM  —  SANITARY  MEASURES  IN  THE  HOLY  CITY 
—  THE  WIVES  OF  THE  GOVERNOR  OF  TIBERIAS  VISIT 
LADY  MONTEFIORE  —  A  PLEASANT  JOURNEY  —  ARRIVAL  AT 
JERUSALEM. 


,  May  zWi.—  The  heat  was  very  great  Sir 
Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  did  not  leave  the  house  till 
nine  o'clock,  when  they  went  for  a  little  while  to  the  shore  of 
the  lake..  Sir  Moses  received  letters  from  the  heads  of  the 
Portuguese  congregation  at  Jerusalem,  dated  ten  days  back, 
informing  him  that  they  had  prepared  a  house  for  him,  but 
were  sorry  they  could  not  come  out  of  the  town  to  receive  him, 
as  there  was  a  cordon  round  the  city.  They  did  not  mention 
one  word  as  to  the  state  of  the  city,  but  in  two  other  letters 
brought  by  the  same  messenger,  we  learned  that  many  Jews, 
whose  names  they  gave,  had  died  of  the  plague,  all  the  in- 
dividuals in  four  houses  being  stricken  with  it.  In  conversation 
with  the  messenger,  the  latter  informed  Sir  Moses  that  the 
plague  was  in  Jerusalem  and  in  all  the  villages  surrounding  it  ; 
also  at  Gaza  and  Jaffa,  adding  that  Sir  Moses  might  cut 
off  his  head  if  he  had  not  spoken  the  truth. 

Sir  Moses  determined  to  despatch  a  messenger  to  Mr  W.  T. 
Young,  the  British  Consul  at  Jerusalem.  On  applying  to  the 
Governor  of  Tiberias  to  let  him  have  a  messenger  with  a  good 
horse,  he  immediately  sent  us  a  fine,  handsome  fellow,  armed 
with  pistols,  sabre,  &c.  Sir  Moses  gave  him  the  letters,  and  he 
started  instantly,  at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

The  Governor  sent  early  in  the  morning  to  say  that  he 
wished  to  come  and  pay  his  respects  ;  at  the  same  time  he 
sent  a  small,  very  beautiful  gazelle  for  Lady  Montefiore,  which 
was  there  considered  a  valuable  present.  Sir  Moses  and  Lady 
Montefiore,  having  appointed  twelve  o'clock  for  the  interview, 


172       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

he  came  punctually  at  that  hour,  accompanied  by  the  Judge  of 
the  town  and  some  half  dozen  of  their  officers.  Pipes,  coffee, 
and  sherbet  were  handed  round.  The  Governor  was  most 
friendly.  He  said  he  had  made  that  day  a  holiday  in  the  town 
in  honour  of  their  visit,  which  had  given  joy  and  peace  to  all  the 
inhabitants,  and  that  Sir  Moses  might  command  his  services  in 
any  way  he  pleased.  Houses,  servants,  horses,  &c.,  all  were  •  at 
his  disposal.  He  much  regretted  being  obliged  to  leave  the 
town  himself  with  some  soldiers  he  had  collected,  who  had  to 
join  Ibrahim  Pasha.  He  would  be  away  about  twenty  days,  but 
had  desired  his  secretary  to  attend  to  any  request  Sir  Moses 
might  make  in  his  absence.  He  added  a  hope  that  Sir  Moses 
would  come  and  settle  in  that  part  of  the  world,  as  the  Jews 
were  in  great  need  of  a  chief  or  leader ;  they  could  then  take 
land  and  engage  in  agriculture.  Soon  after  he  left,  Lady 
Montefiore  received  an  invitation  from  the  Governor's  wives 
to  come  and  dine  with  them,  saying  that  they  had  had  a  lamb 
killed  and  prepared  for  the  occasion  by  a  person  specially  sent 
by  the  Jewish  authorities  of  the  place.  Lady  Montefiore  was 
anxious  to  accept  the  invitation  that  she  might  see  the  interior 
of  the  harem,  but  it  was  thought  she  had  better  not  go,  and 
an  apology  was  sent,  she  pleading  fatigue  from  the  journey. 

The  Tews  all  agree  in  acknowledging  that  the  present 
Governor  is  an  excellent  friend  to  them.  The  Judge  is  not 
friendly  to  them,  but  the  Governor  prevents  him  from  doing 
them  any  mischief. 

The  representatives  of  the  German  and  Portuguese  congre- 
gations, each  attended  by  about  twenty  of  their  members,  paid 
them  visits,  remaining  for  about  an  hour  in  earnest  conversation. 
They  promised  to  have  ready,  by  the  next  day,  statistical  accounts 
of  their  communities,  which  Sir  Moses  desired  to  have  for  his 
special  guidance  in  the  distribution  of  the  money  he  had  brought 
for  them. 

Wednesday,  May  2gth. — The  heat  during  the  night  was  most 
oppressive.  Most  of  the  inhabitants  placed  their  mattresses 
either  on  the  roofs  of  their  houses  or  in  the  yards,  and  slept 
in  the  open  air.  In  the  morning,  before  five,  we  rode  on  horse- 
back to  the  hot  baths,  about  half-an-hour's  distance  from  the 
town.  These  are  natural  hot  springs.  Sir  Moses  did  not  find 
them  sulphurous,  but  rather  salt.  They  are  situated  close  to 


The  Governors  Wives  Visit  Lady  Montefiore.      \ 73 

the  lake,  but  the  hot  spring  has  its  source  in  the  mountains. 
Ibrahim  Pasha  had  erected  a  handsome  building,  with  some 
rooms  for  the  use  of  bathers.  The  large  bath,  which  is  circular, 
would  accommodate  one  hundred  persons.  There  are  also  two 
chambers  with  handsome  marble  baths.  There  is  a  room,  com- 
manding a  beautiful  view  of  the  lake  and  distant  mountains, 
where,  after  having  taken  the  bath,  one  can  enjoy  an  hour's  rest, 
and  partake  of  coffee  and  sherbet  prepared  by  the  attendants 
there. 

On  their  return  from  the  bath  they  visited  the  tombs  of 
some  distinguished  teachers  in  Israel,  whose  resting-places  were 
pointed  out  by  the  gentlemen  who  accompanied  them. 

In  the  course  of  the  day  the  Governor's  wives  sent  to  say 
they  wished  to  have  the  pleasure  of  paying  Lady  Montefiore  a 
visit.  They  also  sent  for  her  acceptance  a  fine  large  sheep. 

Lady  Montefiore,  in  her  diary,  gives  full  particulars  of  the 
visit.  The  Governor,  she  was  told,  had  four  wives,  but  only 
three  of  them  came.  They  were  attended  by  a  black  girl,  and 
by  a  man  as  their  guard,  as  well  as  by  the  mother  of  the 
Governor's  youngest  wife.  The  first  wife,  who  is  considered  to 
be,  and  is  also  called,  "  The  Great  Lady,"  was  a  pleasing  and 
intelligent  woman  ;  the  other  two  were  somewhat  younger,  but 
equally  good-looking,  the  age  of  the  youngest  being  about 
eighteen,  and  the  eldest  thirty.  All  of  them  were  exceedingly 
good-tempered.  When  Sir  Moses  asked  them  if  they  could 
read,  the  eldest  one  replied  in  the  negative,  "  but,"  said  she,  "  the 
Agha  intends  marrying  another  lady,  so  that  she  may  teach  us 
to  do  so  ;  we  shall  all  be  pleased  if  he  does." 

They  became  very  chatty,  and  were  most  desirous  that  Lady 
Montefiore  should  visit  them,  and  go  on  the  water  with  them  to 
the  bath.  "  The  great  lady "  smoked  a  chibouk,  but  did  not 
offer  it  to  the  others.  Lady  Montefiore  made  each  of  them  a 
present  of  a  neat  gold  ring  set  with  mosaics,  with  which  they 
were  much  pleased.  They  said  it  was  the  first  visit  they  had 
ever  paid ;  they  were  not  even  allowed  to  visit  their  own 
brothers,  but  the  Agha  was  so  pleased  with  Lady  Montefiore, 
that  he  wished  his  wives  to  see  her.  The  ladies  remained  two 
hours,  and  I  had  to  act  as  interpreter.  About  fifty  members  of 
the  Portuguese  community  came  to  see  us,  and  we  had  a  long 
conversation  with  them  on  the  subject  of  the  cultivation  of  land 


I  74       Diaries  oj  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

in  the  vicinity  of  the  town.  Many  members  of  the  German  con- 
gregation arrived  at  the  same  time  to  pay  their  respects  to  Sir 
Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore,  and  also  joined  our  conversation 
on  the  subject.  The  early  marriages,  which  are  customary  in 
the  East  amongst  all  classes  of  society,  were  warmly  discussed 
by  all  present.  To  Europeans  the  custom  appears  strange,  and 
a  great  drawback  to  the  promotion  of  happiness  among  the  con- 
tracting parties,  as  well  as  to  society  in  general.  Orientals,  on 
the  contrary,  think  it  most  desirable  to  preserve  a  custom  which 
they  consider  beneficial,  and  conducive  to  the  happiness  of 
families. 

Thursday,  May  3O///.—  On  this  day  the  distribution  of  money 
took  place.  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  themselves  put 
their  gifts  into  the  hand  of  every  man,  woman,  and  child  of  the 
Hebrew,  as  well  as  of  the  Mussulman  and  Christian  congrega- 
tions. Their  labour  was  not  finished  before  ten  in  the  evening, 
the  trouble  and  fatigue  of  the  distribution  being  exceptionally 
great,  in  consequence  of  the  lists  containing  the  names  and  de- 
scriptions of  the  recipients  not  having  been  correctly  prepared. 
Of  the  sheep  brought  to  Lady  Montefiore  by  the  Governor's 
•wives,  Sir  Moses  distributed  to  the  descendants  of  Aaron  those 
parts  which,  according  to  an  injunction  of  Holy  Writ,  belong  to 
them,  a  proceeding  which  afforded  much  gratification  both  to 
donor  and  the  recipients. 

Friday,  May  $\st. — Another  visit  was  paid  to  the  different 
localities  in  which  the  tombs  of  the  renowned  teachers  in  Israel 
had  been  pointed  out  to  them.  In  the  afternoon  they  attended 
the  Portuguese  Synagogue,  and  in  the  evening,  after  the  Sabbath 
repast,  hundreds  of  members  of  the  community  sat  down  in  the 
spacious  courtyard  in  order  to  enjoy  a  full  view  of  the  honoured 
pilgrims,  who  were  singing  Psalms  and  Sabbath  hymns.  The 
evening  was  beautiful ;  the  whole  place  was  illuminated  with 
variegated  lamps,  and  the  Oriental  holiday  attire  of  the  many 
ladies  who  surrounded  the  fountain  of  cool  and  refreshing  water, 
made  the  scene  charming  and  picturesque  in  the  extreme. 

The  next  day  they  attended  divine  service  in  the  German 
Synagogue,  and  were  present  at  the  naming  of  a  child,  the  son 
of  a  distinguished  member  of  the  community,  to  whom  they  had 
been  requested  to  act  as  god-parents.  In  the  afternoon,  having 
attended  service  in  the  Russian  place  of  worship,  they  visited  the 


A  Pleasant  Journey.  175 

heads  of  that  congregation,  and  spent  the  evening  at  home  in 
receiving  the  numerous  friends  who  called  on  them. 

Sunday,  June  2nd. — At  half-past  5  P.M.  we  left  Tiberias. 
Hundreds  of  persons  came  to  see  us  off,  and  followed  us.  The 
officers  of  the  Governor  (he  having  gone  with  some  troops  to 
Damascus),  with  about  a  dozen  soldiers  and  some  attendants, 
also  accompanied  us  for  nearly  half-an-hour.  We  rode  for  two 
hours  and  a  half  over  the  hills.  Towards  the  west  the  land  was 
very  rich,  and  sown  with  wheat,  barley  and  oats,  but  not  well 
cultivated.  We  pitched  our  tents  at  Eyn  Louba.  The  effect  of 
the  numerous  glowworms  and  fireflies  in  the  darkness  of  the 
night  was  extremely  beautiful.  Late  in  the  evening  a  messenger 
arrived  from  Caiffa,  bringing  Sir  Moses  a  letter  from  Beyrout. 
There  had  been  no  battle,  but  both  parties  were  in  daily  expec- 
tation of  hostilities.  The  plague,  it  was  reported,  had  broken  out 
in  Damascus,  and  the  country,  both  around  that  city  and  Bey- 
rout,  had  begun  to  be  in  a  very  disturbed  state.  Several  tra- 
vellers had  been  robbed,  but  the  post  still  passed.  All  vessels 
from  Alexandria  had  to  perform  quarantine  ;  most  of  the  villages 
in  Palestine  were  infected  with  the  plague. 

Monday,  June  yd. — We  started  at  five  and  halted  at  6.40 
for  the  mules  with  our  luggage.  We  were  not  travelling  the 
usual  way,  as  we  wished  to  avoid  the  villages  as  much  as  possible. 
We  were  then  near  the  highest  point  of  Mount  Tabor ;  we  had 
crossed  some  of  the  richest  land  imaginable,  and  seen  many  fig 
and  almond  trees,  pomegranates,  prickly  pears,  &c.  We  reposed 
under  an  almond  tree  till  our  luggage  came  up.  The  servants 
had  mistaken  the  way,  and  one  of  the  janissaries  was  obliged  to 
go  in  search  of  them.  We  set  forward  again  at  eight,  and  rode 
till  1.30  P.M.  We  then  rested  near  a  rivulet,  in  the  shade  of  a 
small  cavern  in  the  front  of  the  mountain,  commanding  an 
extensive  view  of  the  rich  plain,  nearly  the  whole  of  which  was 
in  a  state  of  cultivation.  Almost  all  the  crops  were  cut.  On 
the  mountain  above  us,  Jacob  and  Laban  made  their  league  to- 
gether, and  called  it  Gal-ed.  We  started  again  at  4  P.M.,  and  rode 
till  seven,  when  we  /pitched  our  tents  in  a  very  pretty  orchard  of 
fig-trees  and  pomegranates,  the  latter  covered  with  blossoms. 

Tuesday,  June  <\th. — After  taking  a  cup  of  coffee,  we  set  off 
at  five  in  the  morning  from  Djouni,  riding  through  a  lovely 
country  of  mountains,  hills,  dales,  valleys,  and  plains,  all  truly 


1 76       DLirics  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

splendid,  and  in  the  highest  state  of  cultivation  (wheat,  barley, 
oats,  &c.).  We  passed  many  towns  and  villages,  but  did  not 
enter  them.  This  part  of  the  country  appeared  well  populated. 
The  inhabitants  were  good  farmers,  and  possessed  horses,  cows, 
oxen,  sheep,  and  goats  in  great  abundance.  There  were  also 
olive  and  mulberry  trees  of  very  great  age,  apparently  many 
centuries  old,  and  there  was  more  skill  displayed  in  their  cutting 
than  we  had  hitherto  noticed  in  the  Holy  Land.  It  was  a 
complete  gar  Jen.  "  I  have  never  seen,"  Sir  Moses  observed,  "  any 
country  so  rich  and  beautiful.  We  rested  under  a  grove  of  fig- 
trees,  in  a  garden  surrounded  by  the  most  magnificent  scenery  ; 
the  spot  might  well  have  been  termed,  '  a  garden  of  Eden,  a 
very  Paradise.'"  We  amused  ourselves  by  discussing  the 
writings  of  Hillel  the  elder,  and  reading  extracts  from  the  works 
of  Maimonides. 

At  two  we  proceeded  on  our  journey  till  six.  The  road  was 
very  rocky,  and  the  ride,  especially  the  descent  to  Nablous,  the 
ancient  city  of  Shechem,  exceedingly  difficult.  We  encamped 
close  to  the  well  of  Jacob.  Many  of  our  brethren  came  from 
the  city  to  welcome  us,  and  brought  with  them  some  fine  poultry 
and  fruit,  which  they  requested  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore 
to  accept.  They  did  not  enter  our  tents,  as  we  were  fearful  of 
contagion. 

Sir  Moses  had,  eight  or  ten  days  previously,  sent  them  a 
number  of  printed  forms,  for  the  purpose  of  inserting  under 
^particular  headings  any  statistical  information  they  could  give 
respecting  their  own  community.  These  he  now  requested  them 
to  let  him  have,  as  he  desired  to  distribute  some  money  among 
those  who  stood  in  need  of  assistance.  Fortunately  they  had 
already  prepared  the  papers  required,  and  it  did  not  take  long 
to  send  a  messenger  to  the  Synagogue,  who  brought  them 
without  delay. 

Wednesday,  June  $th. — We  visited  the  tomb  of  Joseph,  and 
copied  the  inscription  on  the  wall.  We  said  our  prayers  there, 
and  proceeded  to  the  village  of  Awarta,  where  we  copied  the 
Samaritan  and  Arabic  inscriptions  on  the  tombs  of  Phineas, 
Eleazar,  and  Ithamar,  the  sons  of  Aaron  the  High  Priest.  We 
also  visited  the  tombs  said  to  be  those  of  the  seventy  elders,  and 
then  continued  our  way  to  Jerusalem.  At  twelve  o'clock  we 
rejoined  our  attendants,  who  had  already  prepared  various 


A  r  rival  at  Jerusalem.  177 

refreshments  for  us  in  a  tent  pitched  for  our  accommodation, 
near  a  well  called  "  Eyn  "  or  Khdn  Lebban.  We  were  much 
fatigued,  and  the  heat  was  excessive.  While  we  were  partaking 
of  our  repast,  many  persons,  travellers  and  others,  came  to  water 
their  beasts.  Some  of  the  Mussulmans,  after  performing  their 
ablutions  at  the  well,  said  their  prayers,  and  a  number  of  young 
women,  with  pitchers  on  their  heads,  came  from  the  neighbour- 
hood to  fetch  the  cool  water  from  the  inexhaustible  spring  of 
Laban. 

At  four  o'clock  we  left  this  pleasing  scene,  and  ascended  a 
high  mountain  by  a, desperately  stoney  road,  on  the  edge  of 
precipices.  On  the  summit  we  were  surprised  at  finding  a  very 
lovely  plain,  well  cultivated,  and  with  many  gardens,  containing 
fig,  olive,  and  almond  trees,  as  well  as  vines.  We  erected  our 
tents  at  six  o'clock  in  the  corner  of  a  field  near  the  village  ot 

O 

Snidgil.  Both  on  that  and  the  ^previous  day  we  met  many 
families,  Jews,  Christians,  and  Mussulmans,  flying  from  Jerusalem 
to  escape  the  plague ;  the  accounts  which  they  gave  us  were 
extremely  alarming. 

Thursday,  June  6th. — We  were  on  horseback  at  half-past 
four  in  the  morning.  The  day  was  cool  and  pleasant.  Our 
road  lay  between  the  mountains,  in  a  narrow  pass,  formed  by 
the  dry  bed  of  a  torrent,  with  gardens  on  each  side.  The 
mountains  were  cultivated  in  terraces,  and  planted  to  the  sum- 
mit with  vines  and  olives — "  a  lovely  scene,"  Sir  Moses  observed. 
Indeed  it  would  have  been  impossible  to  travel  through  a  richer 
or  more  beautiful  country. 

We  stopped  to  rest  and  take  some  refreshments,  and  started 
again,  ascending  an  extremely  barren  mountain,  and  at  two 
o'clock  reached  Shabia,  or  Gibeah,  the  commencement  of  the 
scene  of  destruction. 

We  dismounted,  and  read  some  of  the  Lamentations  of 
Jeremiah,  then  continued  our  journey  till  three  o'clock,  when  we 
had  the  first  view  of  Jerusalem.  Dismounting  once  again,  we 
recited  the  usual  prayers. 

Hearing  that  the  plague  was  yet  in  the  city,  Sir  Moses 
deemed  it  prudent  not  to  enter.  We  therefore  passed  the  walls 
and  went  up  the  Mount  of  Olives,  where  we  pitched  our  tents  on 
a  spot  commanding  a  magnificent  view  of  the  Holy  City  and 
Mosque  of  Omar,  near  the  tomb  of  "  Huldah  "  the  prophetess. 
I.  M 


178       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte fiorc. 

For  two  hours  before  reaching  Jerusalem,  the  road  by  which 
we  travelled  was  stoney  and  deserted.  Not  a  blade  of  grass  or 
a  tree  was  visible.  "  Most  fervently  do  I  pray,"  Sir  Moses  re- 
marked, "that  the  wilderness  of  Zion  may  again  be  like  Eden, 
and  her  desert  like  the  garden  of  the  Lord." 

Friday,  June  7th. — Before  Sir  Moses  was  up,  the  Governor  of 
the  city  came  to  pay  him  his  respects,  and  waited  till  he  was 
ready  to  receive  him,  which  he  did  under  one  of  the  olive  trees, 
as  we  had  declared  ourselves  in  quarantine.  The  Governor  was 
exceedingly  friendly,  and  offered  to  accompany  Sir  Moses  to  the 
Jordan,  Dead  Sea,  and  Hebron,  and  to  do  him  any  service  in  his 
power  ;  he  also  sent  a  present  of  five  sheep.  All  the  representa- 
tives of  the  Portuguese  and  German  congregations,  accompanied 
by  crowds  of  their  members,  came  up  to  give  a  heartfelt  welcome 
to  their  future  champion  and  his  excellent  wife,  bringing  with 
them  numerous  presents  of  choice  wines,  fruit,  and  cakes,  besides 
articles  of  rich  embroidery. 

Saturday,  June  8t/i. — We  recited  our  prayers  under  the  shade 
of  an  olive  tree,  directly  opposite  the  spot  where  stood  the 
Temple  of  Solomon.  Our  situation  commanded  a  splendid  view 
of  every  part  of  the  city  and  the  surrounding  mountains.  Our 
happy  moments  were  unfortunately  disturbed  by  the  wailing  of 
the  Mohammedan  mourning  women  who  followed  no  less  than 
four  funerals.  In  the  course  of  the  day  all  the  leading  members 
•of  the  community  came  to  visit  us.  When  Sir  Moses  spoke  to 
them  on  the  desirability  of  procuring  work  for  the  poor,  the 
majority  of  those  present  expressed  themselves  in  favour  of  agri- 
culture. In  the  evening,  while  sitting  in  our  tent,  a  jackal  stole 
noiselessly  in.  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  were  a  little 
alarmed  at  the  incident,  which  recalled  to  their  minds  the  words 
of  the  prophet,  "For  this  our  heart'is  faint,  for  these  things  our 
eyes  are  dim,  because  of  the  mountain  of  Zion,  which  is  desolate, 
the  foxes  (jackals)  walk  upon  it"  (Lamentations  v.  17,  18). 

In  the  course  of  conversation  with  Mr  Young,  the  English 
Consul,  the  latter  expressed  his  approval  of  the  Jews  being  em- 
ployed in  agriculture.  He  advised  beginning  in  a  small  way,  so 
as  not  to  excite  the  suspicions  of  Mohhammad  AH.  Mrs  Young 
gave  Lady  Montefiore  some  distressing  accounts  of  the  poverty 
of  the  people,  and  pointed  out  the  necessity  of  at  once  finding 
them  some  means  of  earning  a  livelihood.  Money,  the  Consul 


A  r rival  at  Jerusalem.  179 

said,  was  very  scarce  in  Jerusalem  ;  he  had  lost  by  every  bill  he 
had  cashed  for  travellers.  Five  weeks  previously  he  had  sent 
his  servant  to  Beyrout  for  .£300,  and  he  was  fearful  he  had  either 
been  robbed  of  the  money,  or  else  had  run  away  with  it. 

Sunday,  June  gth. — More  than  three  hundred  visitors  came  to 
see  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore.  The  Governor  also  called 
again  to  say  that  he  was  very  anxious  they  should  enter  the  city, 
that  the  people  might  have  an  opportunity  of  showing  their  esteem 
for  them.  Sir  Moses,  in  reply,  said  that  he  and  Lady  Monte- 
fiore would  visit  the  city  on  the  following  Wednesday.  The 
Governor  then  arranged  that  he  would  come  himself  with  some 
soldiers  to  conduct  them,  that  they  might  run  no  risk,  and 
begged  Sir  Moses  would  ride  his  horse. 

Monday,  June  loth. — We  rose  early  and  rode  round  the 
walls  of  the  city,  and  through  the  valley  of  Jehoshaphat. 
Having  descended  Mount  Zion^  we  passed  the  Pool  of  Siloam, 
and  crossing  the  bridge  over  the  Brook  Kidron,  visited  all  the 
important  tombs  and  monuments  in  the  valley.  We  then  read 
our  Psalms,  and  returned  to  our  tents  for  breakfast.  Again 
hundreds  of  visitors  arrived,  amongst  whom  were  four  Scotch 
clergymen,  who  were  making  a  tour  in  the  Holy  Land  to 
enquire  into  the  state  of  the  Jews  there ;  they  intended  going 
through  Poland  for  the  same  purpose. 

The  following  day,  being  the  anniversary  of  Sir  Moses  and 
Lady  Montefiore's  wedding,  they  gave  a  special  feast  to  all 
their  attendants,  which  prompted  the  janissaries,  guides,  and 
moukaries  to  sing  praises  of  the  devout  pilgrims,  and  invoke 
heavenly  blessings  on  their  benefactors. 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

1839. 

THE  TOMB  OF  DAVID — SPREAD  OF  THE  PLAGUE — MUSSULMAN 
FANATICISM— SUSPICIOUS  CONDUCT  OF  THE  GOVERNOR 
OF  JERUSALEM  —  NAYANI,  BETH  DAGON,  JAFFA,  EM- 
KHALET,  AND  TANTURA. 

'7^UESDAY,June  nth. — We  rode  before  breakfast  through 
the  valley  of  Jehoshaphat,  then  to  the.  tomb  of  King 
David.  The  keeper  of  the  place  produced  an  order  from 
Ibrahim  Pasha,  which  prohibited  the  entrance  of  Europeans  to 
the  tomb.  We  addressed  a  letter  to  the  Governor,  informing' 
him  that  the  keeper  would  not  admit  us.  A  short  time  after- 
wards the  Governor  arrived.  He  approved  of  the  conduct  of 
the  keeper,  but  thought,  nevertheless,  that  the  Pasha's  order  did 
not  refer  to  a  gentleman  who,  like  Sir  Moses,  was  the  bearer  of 
letters  of  introduction  from  the  highest  authorities  in  the  land, 
and,  leading  the  'way,  he  invited  us  all  to  follow  him  to  the 
tomb.  It  was  a  spacious  vaulted  chamber,  supported  in  the 
centre  by  a  column.  At  the  further  end  we  saw  a  trellised 
window,  on  the  right  of  which  was  an  arched  folding  door. 
Being  led  to  the  spot,  we  beheld  through  the  lattice  the  tomb, 
covered  with  richly  embroidered  carpets.  In  the  centre  was  an 
Arabic  inscription,  "  This  is  the  tomb  of  our  Lord  David,"  on 
either  side  of  which  were  the  double  triangles  known  by  the 
name  of  "the  shield  of  David."  On  one  corner  of  the  tomb 
hung  a  rich  silk  sash  and  a  pistol,  the  offerings  of  Ibrahim 
Pasha.  The  Governor,  addressing  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte- 
fiore,  said,  "  I  will  now  leave  you  to  your  religious  devotions," 
and  then  left  the  place.  We  recited  several  psalms,  and  went 
away  much  gratified  with  the  opportunity  which  we  had  had  of 
visiting  the  sacred  spot. 

On  our  return  we  visited  the  cave  of  Jeremiah  and  the 
tombs  of  the  Kings.  In  the  evening  a  number  of  people  came 
up  to  pass  the  night  on  the  Mount  of  Olives,  so  as  to  be  ready 


Visit  the  Tombs  of  the  Kings.  181 

in  the  morning  to  join  the  procession  which  had  been  arranged 
for  our  entry  into  the  city.  Many  of  our  brethren  from  Hebron, 
including  the  spiritual  heads  and  representatives  of  their  con- 
gregations, came  to  offer  us  their  congratulations,  and  to 
accompany  us  the  next  day  to  the  Synagogue.  In  the  evening 
a  large  number  of  friends,  and  students  from  the  colleges, 
assembled  round  our  tents,  to  recite  the  evening  prayers  in 
front  of  the  place  formerly  occupied  by  Solomon's  temple. 

Wednesday,  1 2th.  —  We  rose  before  four  o'clock.  The 
Governor  offered  to  attend  us  at  daybreak,  but  Sir  Moses  said 
he  would  let  him  know  when  we  were  ready.  At  six  o'clock 
Sir  Moses  sent  for  the  Governor,  who  came  attended  by  the 
representatives  of  the  several  congregations,  a  number  of 
soldiers,  and  many  of  his  officers  and  servants.  They  took 
coffee,  pipes,  etc.,  and  after  sitting  down  some  time  we  set  out 
at  eight  o'clock  in  procession.  Sir  Moses  rode  a  beautiful  white 
Arabian  horse,  which  the  Governor  had  sent  him  the  day 
before ;  Lady  Montefiore  rode  her  own.  We  entered  the  city 
by  the  Gate  of  the  Tribes,  and  passed  through  most  of  the 
streets,  which  were  crowded  with  men,  women,  and  children, 
the  Governor  having  made  it  a  holiday.  We  proceeded  to  the 
Portuguese  Synagogue,  where  the  Governor  left  us.  His  officers 
and  men  remained  with  us  till  we  again  reached  the  Mount  of 
Olives.  The  Synagogue  was  beautifully  decorated,  and  attended 
by  as  many  of  the  congregation  as  space  would  permit.  Special 
prayers  were  offered  up  by  the  Ecclesiastical  Chief,  who  invoked 
the  blessings  of  Heaven  on  the  pious  pilgrims.  At  the  con- 
clusion of  the  service  we  received  a  hearty  welcome  to  the  Holy 
City  from  all  present. 

We  then  went  to  the  German  Synagogue,  where  a  similar 
service  was  held,  addresses  delivered,  and  prayers  offered  up  for 
the  friends  of  Zion,  after  which  we  proceeded  to  the  Western 
Wall,  and  recited  there  the  usual  prayers  in  the  presence  of  a 
large  assembly.  Having  thanked  the  representatives  of  the 
several  communities,  we  repaired  to  the  house  of  the  Governor, 
Lady  Montefiore  awaiting  our  return  in  the  Synagogue  of  the 
late  Mr  Lehren. 

Sir  Moses  then  rejoined  Lady  Montefiore,  and  paid  a  visit  to 
Mr  and  Mrs  Young  and  some  other  friends,  returning  to  the 
Mount  of  Olives  about  four  o'clock  P.M. 


1 82       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

The  record  of  this  day  in  his  diary  concludes  with  the 
following  words,  expressive  of  the  grateful  sentiments  which 
filled  his  heart : — 

"The  Lord  God  of  Israel  be  praised  and  thanked  for  per- 
mitting our  feet  to  stand  a  second  time  within  thy  gates,  O 
Jerusalem,  may  the  city  soon  be  rebuilt,  in  our  days.  Amen." 
"  I  believe,"  he  continues,  "  the  whole  population  was  looking  at 
us,  and  bestowing  blessings  on  us." 

Thursday,  i^th.—  We  were  engaged  all  day  in  speaking  to 
persons  who  came  with  petitions.  Some  of  Sir  Moses'  friends, 
fearing  the  ravages  of  the  plague,  informed  him  of  their  inten- 
tion to  accompany  him  to  Hebron.  A  man  to  whom  we  had 
spoken,  only  a  few  days  previously,  had  since  died  of  the 
plague,  so  that  their  apprehensions  of  serious  danger  seemed  to 
be  fully  justified.  Sir  Moses  distributed  the  money  he  had 
brought  with  him  from  England,  and  made  arrangements  for 
the  further  distribution  of  £500,  which  he  promised  to  send 
either  from  Beyrout  or  Alexandria. 

Friday,  \^th. — With  feelings  of  deep  regret  we  left  the 
Mount  of  Olives  for  Hebron,  and  after  three  hours'  journey 
reached  Rachel's  Tomb.  Seeing  that  it  was  greatly  out  of 
repair  and  going  fast  to  ruin,  Lady  Montefiore  gave  directions 
for  an  estimate  for  its  restoration  to  be  made.  Half  way  to* 
Hebron  we  rested  for  an  hour  near  a  fortress  and  a  great 
reservoir.  Our  route  lay  through  a  mountainous  country,  little 
cultivated.  On  the  summit  of  a  mountain  at  some  distance  we 
saw  the  tombs  of  Nathan  the  prophet  and  Gad  the  seer. 

About  an  hour's  ride  from  Hebron  we  were  met  by  the 
representatives  of  the  Hebrew  community,  accompanied  by 
hundreds  of  their  members,  many  of  whom  danced  and  sang 
psalms  to  manifest  their  delight.  They  preceded  us  to  the 
place  where  we  pitched  our  tents,  in  an  olive  grove  near  the 
town.  The  vicinity  of  the  town  was  beautiful,  very  mountain- 
ous, but  covered  with  vines,  olives,  and  pomegranates.  We 
attended  the  Portuguese  Synagogue,  and  then  returned  to  our 
tent 

Saturday,  i$th. — Early  in  the  morning,  the  representatives 
of  the  community  came  to  accompany  us  to  Synagogue,  where 
both  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  were  received  with  the 
highest  respect.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  service  the  same 


Suspicious  Conduct  of  the  Governor  of  Jerusalem.     183 

gentlemen  accompanied  us  back  to  our  encampment  Whilst 
at  breakfast  the  Governor  was  announced  ;  he  brought  with  him 
a  present  of  four  sheep.  As  we  kept  ourselves  in  quarantine, 
and  our  place  of  encampment  was  surrounded  by  a  cordon,  Sir 
Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  could  not  receive  him  in  the  tent 
After  having  finished  their  repast,  however,  they  went  out  to 
him,  although  they  did  not  consider  it  advisable  to  accept  his 
present,  as  he  had  not  paid  the  pilgrims  the  attention  due  to 
them  on  their  arrival.  The  Governor,  feeling  that  he  had  not 
acted  as  he  should  have  done,  offered  profound  apologies,  but 
blamed  the  community  for  not  having  given  him  due  notice  of 
their  arrival.  In  consideration  of  his  polite  excuses,  his  present 
was  accepted.  When  he  offered  his  services,  Sir  Moses  asked 
whether  he  could  take  us  to  the  Cave  of  Machpelah,  but  he  could 
not  give  a  favourable  reply.  We  had  visitors  the  whole  day. 

Sunday,  \6t/i. — There  were  assembled  in  front  of  our  tents 
no  fewer  than  two  hundred  people,  men,  women,  and  children, 
including  all  the  representatives  of  the  congregation,  together 
with  their  wives  and  children.  They  presented  us  with  certifi- 
cates entitling  us  to  free  seats  in  their  several  Synagogues,  both 
Portuguese  and  German.  They  also  requested  Sir  Moses  and 
Lady  Montefiore  to  accept  the  presidency  of  their  charities  and 
schools.  The  Governor  also  paid  them  another  visit,  as  a 
special  mark  of  respect,  repeating  his  apologies  for  not  having 
come  to  meet  them,  and  volunteering  his  services  during  our 
visits  to  the  holy  places.  After  he  left,  the  whole  congregation 
united  in  prayers  for  the  evening  service.  The  scene  was  most 
interesting.  Numerous  presents  had  again  been  sent  by  various 
members  of  the  community ;  also  a  jar  of  fresh  butter  and 
another  of  honey,  by  the  Sheik  of  the  place.  After  the  prayers, 
the  four  sheep  which  the  Governor  had  sent  were  prepared  for 
the  repast.  The  parts  appropriated  to  the  descendants  of 
Aaron,  the  High  Priest,  were  given  to  them,  the  hind  quarters 
were  presented  to  the  Mussulman  and  Druse  attendants  and 
moukaries,  and  the  forequarters  to  poor  Jewish  families.  All 
present  appeared  happy.  Singing,  playing,  dancing,  and  per- 
formances with  sword  and  gun,  afforded  amusement  to  old 
and  young,  to  Druse,  Mussulman,  Christian,  and  Jew. 

Monday,  June  \-jth. — The  Governor  and  Sheik  having, on  the 
previous  day,  promised  to  accompany  us  to  the  Cave  ot  Mach- 


184       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montcfiore. 

pelah,  they  came  this  morning  before  nine  o'clock,  together  with 
their  attendants.  After  having  partaken  of  coffee  and  sherbet, 
with  the  usual  accompaniment  of  a  chibouk,  we  set  out  for  the 
tombs  of  our  forefathers,  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob.  Many 
members  of  the  Hebrew  community  followed  us.  On  reaching 
the  steps  of  the  Mosque,  even  before  we  had  dismounted,  there 
was  a  great  cry  against  us  entering.  We  nevertheless  ascended 
the  steps,  and  entered  the  passage  leading  to  the  interior  of  the 
Mosque.  It  was  filled  with  people,  all  screaming  and  threatening 
us  with  sticks.  But  the  situation  soon  became  much  more  serious. 
The  Mussulmans  began  to  beat  back  those  of  the  Jews  who  had 
followed  us,  and  the  screams  were  truly  frightful.  The  soldiers 
of  the  Governor  of  Beyrout  and  the  janissary  from  Mr  Moore, 
the  English  Consul,  behaved  admirably ;  they  struck  right  and 
left  with  all  their  might,  and  the  entrance  gate  was  soon  closed. 
We  remained  inside,  and  following  the  Governor,  attempted  to 
enter  the  Mosque,  but  we  were  for  some  time  prevented  by  the 
cries  of  the  people,  which  were  greatly  increased  by  a  dervish, 
who  threw  himself  before  the  door,  shrieking  in  a  most  frightful 
manner,  and  calling  on  the  people  not  to  allow  us  to  enter.  Sir 
Moses,  however,  drew  Lady  Montefiore  along  past  him,  and  we 
made  good  our  entrance  ;  but,  perceiving  that  we  were  in  great 
danger,  the  Mosque  being  filled  with  at  least  five  hundred 
persons,  many  of  whom  were  armed  with  sticks,  Sir  Moses  did 
not  deem  it  prudent  to  remain.  We  therefore  immediately 
passed  through  the  opposite  door,  and  left  the  Mosque  by  a 
different  gate  to  the  one  through  which  we  had  entered.  The 
only  objects  we  saw  in  the  passage  deserving  notice  were  two 
large  stones  in  the  wall ;  they  were  similar  to  those  in  the 
Western  Wall  at  Jerusalem,  at  least  nine  yards  long  and  one 
yard  broad.  We  also  saw  an  iron  gate  which,  we  thought, 
might  perhaps  lead  to  the  cave,  but  Sir  Moses  felt  certain  that 
they  were  determined  we  should  not  enter  to  see  any  part  of  it. 
The  Governor  appeared  in  great  alarm,  and  had  not  the  least 
influence  with  the  people.  "To  say  the  truth,"  Sir  Moses  re- 
marked, "  I  did  not  see  him  make  any  exertions  for  our  safety." 
He  accompanied  us  to  our  tents,  making  many  apologies  .for 
the  unhappy  result  of  our  visit ;  but  Sir  Moses  would  not  speak 
to  him,  as  he  (the  Governor)  was  bound  in  honour  and  duty  not 
to  have  subjected  us  to  such  an  insult. 


Suspicious  Conduct  of  the  Governor  of  Jerusalem.     185 

We  were  scarcely  in  our  tents  before  many  people  came 
running  to  us  from  the  Jews'  quarter,  saying  that  the  Mussul- 
mans were  beating  them  most  unmercifully,  and  they  were 
fearful  of  being  murdered.  Sir  Moses  received  letters  from  the 
representatives  of  the  community,  one  of  whom  had  been  so 
severely  beaten  that  he  was  obliged  to  write  from  his  bed. 
Several  others  called  who  had  also  been  very  much  ill-used. 
We  feared  that  perhaps  we  should  also  be  attacked  as  soon  as  it 
was  dark ;  although  Sir  Moses  felt  no  serious  apprehension, 
should  such  an  event  take  place,  as  we  had  seventeen  people 
with  us,  many  of  them  well  armed.  Nevertheless,  as  we  strongly 
recommended  it,  he  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Governor  of  Jerusalem, 
acquainting  him  with  what  had  occurred,  and  requesting  him  to 
send  a  few  men  as  a  guard. 

Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  then  attended  both  the 
German  and  Portuguese  Synagogues,  and  distributed  their 
benevolent  gifts  to  the  men,  women,  and  children  in  the  same 
way  as  at  Safed  and  Tiberias.  We  then  returned  to  our  tents, 
took  our  dinner,  and  afterwards  received  many  visitors.  Having 
looked  to  our  arms  and  said  our  prayers,  we  retired  to  rest, 
""  confiding,"  Sir  Moses  observed,  "  in  the  protection  of  Heaven." 

Tuesday,  June  iSf/i. — Our  tents  and  luggage  having  been 
placed  on  our  mules,  we  left  the  olive  ground,  followed  by  the 
heads  of  the  community  and  many  of  our  brethren.  A  few 
minutes  later  we  were  joined  by  the  Governor  of  the  town  and 
the  Sheik,  with  his  officers.  They  again  made  many  apologies 
for  the  occurrences  of  the  previous  day,  and  accompanied  us  on 
our  road  for  half-an-hour.  The  Jews  also  followed  us,  singing 
psalms.  Sir  Moses  entreated  them  to  leave  us,  which  they  did, 
after  bestowing  thousands  of  blessings  on  him  and  on  Lady 
Montefiore.  j 

In  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour  we  met  the  janissary  whom 
Sir  Moses  had  sent  to  the  Governor  of  Jerusalem.  He  came  at 
full  gallop,  and  had  several  horsemen  with  him.  He  brought 
Sir  Moses  an  answer  from  the  Governor,  who  had  sent  hfm 
twenty  brave  fellows,  all  well  mounted  and  armed.  We  waited 
a  few  moments  till  they  all  came  up.  They  were  commanded 
by  an  Agha,  who  promised  to  defend  us  with  his  blood  and  that 
of  his  men. 

Sir  Moses  then  requested  our  co-religionists  to  return  to  the 


1 86       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

town,  giving  them  numerous  tokens  of  his  love  for  the  Holy 
City  of  Abraham  "the  beloved."  (This  latter  attribute  the 
Mussulmans  always  attach  to  the  name  of  Abraham.)  They 
departed  with  many  blessings  for  their  devoted  friends  and 
protectors.  The  soldiers,  janissaries,  moukaries,  and  our  own 
attendants  continued  feasting  and  firing  their  muskets  the  whole 
night,  and  making  so  desperate  a  noise  as  to  render  sleep 
impossible. 

Sir  Moses  afterwards  learned  that  the  Governor  of  Hebron 
had  already  commenced  showing  his  authority,  much  to  the 
advantage  of  the  Jews.  Having  heard  that  one  of  them  had 
been  ill-treated  by  a  Mussulman,  the  Governor  immediately 
caused  the  offender  to  be  severely  punished  in  his  presence  as  a 
caution  to  the  Mussulmans  against  again  committing  a  similar 
offence. 

Wednesday,  June  igth. — We  left  our  encampment  at  seven,, 
reaching  the  tombs  of  Nathan  the  Prophet  and  Gad  the  Seer  at 
half-past  nine.  Our  guards  amused  us  on  the  way  with  a  com- 
plete sham  fight  with  lance,  sabre,  musket,  and  pistol,  advancing 
and  retreating  at  full  gallop.  They  were  all  capital  horsemen, 
and  it  was  a  most  pleasing  and  lively  sight.  We  read  our 
prayers  at  the  tombs,  which  are  situated  near  the  village  of 
Halhool.  6*ur  road  lay  between  the  mountains,  a  continuous 
desert,  until  we  reached  the  plain.  Sir  Moses  there  discharged 
our  escort,  made  presents  to  the  Agha  and  every  one  of  his 
soldiers,  and  sent  a  letter  of  thanks  to  the  Governor  of  Jerusalem, 
accompanied  by  a  valuable  telescope.  We  encamped  for  the 
night  near  the  village  of  Zaccariah,  and  started  again  the  next 
morning  at  six. 

Thursday,  2Of/t. — We  proceeded  vid  Nayani  to  Beth  Dagon, 
near  Ashdod,  and  reached  Jaffa  the  next  day.  We  encamped 
on  the  sands  close  to  the  sea.  The  British  and  Russian  Consuls 
soon  after  called,  bringing  with  them  the  sad  intelligence  that 
the  plague  was  in  the  town  and  neighbourhood. 

•  The  superintendent  of  the  Quarantine  then  came  to  see  Sir 
Moses,  and  gave  him  a  certificate  which,  we  thought,  would 
enable  us  to  proceed  to  Beyrout  without  performing  quarantine. 
The  Cadi  and  the  Governor  of  the  town  also  called  to  pay  their 
respects.  The  latter,  being  the  brother  of  the  Governor  of 


Visit  various  Towns  in  Palestine.  187 

Jerusalem,  was  particularly  attentive,  and  sent  presents  of  sheep 
and  various  kinds  of  fruit. 

We  left  Jaffa  on  Sunday,  reached  the  village  of  Emkhalet  in 
the  evening,  and  encamped  in  a  large  and  beautiful  plain  near 
Mount  Carmel.  The  next  day  we  started  at  two  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  and  at  seven  arrived  at  Caesarea,  where  once  stood  the 
proud  city  of  Herod.  It  must  have  been  a  place  of  great  mag- 
nificence, to  judge  from  the  splendid  remains  of  the  granite 
columns;  there  is  also  every  appearance  of  its  having  had  a  fine 
harbour,  most  beautifully  situated.  It  is  now,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  some  portions  of  the  wall  which  formerly  surrounded 
the  city,  little  more  than  an  immense  pile  of  ruins.  We  had 
a  very  pleasant  ride  nearly  the  whole  way,  on  the  sands  close  to 
the  sea. 

We  left  Emkhalet  early  in  the  morning.  It  was  very  dark, 
and  we  ran  great  risk  of  serious  accident,  having  to  pass  many 
deep  holes,  like  wells,  in  which  the  corn  is  laid  up  for  the 
year.  These  were  at  that  time  being  filled  in,  so  that  they 
were  left  uncovered. 

We  breakfasted  and  rested  till  twelve,  when  we  again  set 
forward  and  encamped  in  the  evening  at  Tantura,  the  ancient 
city  of  Dor,  of  which  we  read  in  the  first  Book  of  Kings  that  it 
was  inhabited  by  the  son-in-law  of  King  Solomon.  We  left  our 
tents  a  few  minutes  after  one  o'clock.  We  had  a  pleasant  ride, 
great  part  of  the  way  through  a  beautiful  plain  between  Mount 
Carmel  and  the  sea.  We  passed  not  far  from  some  splendid 
ruins  of  a  castle  and  town.  On  proceeding  to  the  spot,  we  found 
it  to  be  "Athlit,"  some  of  the  Arabs  called  it  "Atlik,"  the 
Castellum  Perigrinorum  frequently  mentioned  by  the  Crusaders. 
There  are  still  many  arches  and  vaults  to  be  seen,  as  well  as 
some  granite  pillars.  The  remains  of  a  church  also  attract  the 
traveller's  attention  ;  by  the  style  of  its  architecture  it  is  supposed 
to  be  of  Christian  origin.  There  are  some  stones  in  the  walls 
round  the  building  as  large  as,  and  similar  to,  those  in  the  Western 
Wall  at  Jerusalem.  • 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 
1839- 

ENCAMPMENT  NEAR  MOUNT  CARMEL— STATE  OF  THE  COUNTRY 
— CHILD  MARRIAGES  IN  THE  PORTUGUESE  COMMUNITY  AT 
HAIFA— ARRIVAL  IN  BEYROUT. 

AT  8  P.M.  we  reached  the  quarantine  cordon  at  the  foot  of 
Mount  Carmel,  a  narrow  pass  between  the  sea  and  the 
mountain,  about  two  miles  from  Haifa,  where  we  had  intended 
to  rest,  fully  relying  on  our  certificate  from  the  superintendent 
of  the  quarantine  at  Jaffa.  Having  always  kept  ourselves  in 
quarantine  since  we  left  Beyrout,  and  lodged  in  our  own  tents, 
avoiding  all  villages,  we  expected  to  have  been  allowed  to  pass 
without  any  detention,  but  to  our  great  mortification  the  officer 
in  command  informed  Sir  Moses  that,  having  come  to  his  cordon, 
he  and  his  party  must  perform  quarantine,  but  that  he  might 
send  a  messenger  to  the  Governor  of  Beyrout,  under  whose 
orders  he  acted.  This  Sir  Moses  at  once  did,  and  having 
addressed  an  Arabic  letter  to  him,  he  charged  one  of  the 
soldiers  of  his  suite  to  take  it  to  the  Governor  with  all  possible 
speed.  In  the  meanwhile,  the  superintendent  suggested  that  we 
should  have  all  our  things  dipped  twice  into  the  sea,  once  on 
that  day,  and  after  seven  days  a  second  time. 

Some  members  of  the  Hebrew  community  came  to  us  and 
promised  to  bring  us  all  the  provisions  we  might  require  during 
our  stay  in  quarantine,  and  we  became  reconciled  to  our  deten- 
tion. Mr  Young,  the  British  Consul  in  Jerusalem,  when  forward- 
ing to  Sir  Moses  his  letters  from  England,  took  the  opportunity 
of  adding  some  information  respecting  the  state  of  the  Holy 
City,  which  was  far  from  satisfactory.  He  also  informed  Sir 
Moses  that  several  of  his  friends  had  been  attacked  by  serious 
illness.  Mr  Kilby,  of  Beyrout,  sent  a  report,  in  which  he  said 
that  war  was  inevitable,  that  all  the  country  was  in  a  disturbed 
state  and  the  roads  infested  with  robbers.  Several  assassina- 


Encampment  near  Mount  Car  me  I.  ]  89 

tions  had  taken  place  even  at  Beyrout,  and  he  recommended  us 
to  apply  to  the  Governor  of  Acre  for  an  escort.  "  Last  week," 
he  wrote,  "  two  Jews  left  Beyrout  with  three  hundred  dollars  for 
Hebron,  which  had  been  sent  from  Amsterdam  for  the  conere- 

o 

gations  ;  they  were  stopped  near  Kasmia,  robbed  of  the  money 
and  dreadfully  beaten,  one  of  them  being  shot  in  the  struggle. 
Although  severely  injured,  the  wounded  man  contrived  to  reach 
Sidon,  but  died  there."  "  How  wonderful  are  the  ways  of 
Heaven!"  observed  Sir  Moses.  "The  second  night  after  we 
left  Beyrout  we  thought  ourselves  most  unfortunate  in  being 
compelled  to  sleep  in  the  open  air,  as  we  were  too  fatigued  to 
reach  our  tents  and  luggage,  which  were  already  at  Kasmia. 
Had  we  continued  our  journey  and  succeeded  in  reaching  that 
place,  we  should  in  all  'probability  have  shared  the  same  fate  as 
the  other  two  Jews."  A  messenger  had  also  been  robbed,  and 
had  lost  several  of  his  fingers  by  a  sword  cut. 

Signer  M.  di  A.  Finzi,  the  British  consular  agent  at  St  Jean 
d'Acre,  came  to  present  his  respects  to  Sir  Moses,  and  brought 
some  valuable  information  respecting  agriculture  in  the  environs 
of  Tiberias  and  Safed.  This  gentleman  had  acted  most  bene- 
volently towards  the  unfortunate  people  who  had  been  attacked 
by  Druses.  The  British  Consul  of  Haifa  also  came  to  see  Sir 
Moses,  and  reported  that  Ibrahim  Pasha  had  advanced  on 
Aleppo.  It  was  rumoured  that  there  had  been  some  fighting, 
and  all  the  troops  in  quarantine  had  received  orders  to  leave  the 
next  day  and  join  Ibrahim  Pasha.  All  the  country  was  in  a 
most  disturbed  state,  and  the  Jews  of  Safed  were  so  much 
alarmed,  that  they  fled  from  their  homes  and  had  reached 
Haifa  in  a  very  distressed  condition.  The  people  at  Safed  had 
received  information  that  the  Druses  were  coming  to  pillage  the 
place.  The  Governor  of  the  town  had  left  it  with  the  few 
soldiers  he  had  under  his  command.  Every  one  appeared  very 
uneasy  at  the  unprotected  state  of  the  country,  as  a  hundred 
men  from  the  mountains  could,  with  the  greatest  facility,  have 
plundered  every  town  and  village  in  Palestine.  On  the  previous 
evening  the  Governor  of  Acre  had  brought  his  thirty-five  wives 
to  the  Carmellite  convent  as  a  place  of  security ;  he  remained 
there  overnight  and  left  in  the  morning.  The  convent  was  just 
above  the  spot  where  the  quarantine  ground  was  situated. 

Thursday,  271/1  June. — Even  the  discomforts  of  a  detention 


190       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

in  quarantine  were  sometimes  varied  by  pleasing  incidents,  such 
as  making  the  acquaintance  of  distinguished  travellers.  In  this 
case  we  had  the  pleasure  of  becoming  acquainted  with  several 
eminent  men,  including  the  Rev.  Dr  Alex.  Keith  and  Dr  Black, 
who  happened  to  be  performing  their  quarantine  in  the  same 
locality. 

These  gentlemen  called  on  Sir  Moses,  and  he  returned  their 
visit  the  next  day.  The  time  passed  so  agreeably  to  all  that 
these  visits  were  frequently  renewed. 

The  superior  of  the  convent  on  Mount  Carmel  addressed  a 
very  polite  letter  to  Sir  Moses,  regretting  that  our  being  in 
quarantine  prevented  his  having  the  pleasure  of  receiving  us  in 
his  convent,  but  making  an  offer  of  his  services,  and  sending  a 
present  of  the  best  wine  of  Mount  Lebanon. 

Saturday,  June  2Qth. — The  day  was  spent  in  repose,  with 
prayers  and  reading  the  Sacred  Scriptures.  Being  so  close  to 
Mount  Carmel,  our  thoughts  naturally  turned  to  the  Prophet 
Elijah  ;  and  in  addition  to  the  usual  Sabbath  prayers,  Sir  Moses 
read  to  us  the  i8th  chapter  of  ist  Kings  in  a  most  solemn 
manner,  and  with  such  fervour  that  every  one  present  was  deeply 
affected. 

In  the  course  of  the  day  the  messenger  returned,  bringing  the 
following  reply  to  Sir  Moses'  letter : — "  The  Governor  cannot 
allow  a  shorter  quarantine  than  seven  days." 

In  the  evening,  after  the  conclusion  of  Sabbath,  letters  from 
Mr  Kilbee  were  opened,  containing  the  correspondence  from 
England.  There  had  been  disturbances  in  some  of  the  manu- 
facturing towns  at  home  and  in  Paris  ;  the  Melbourne  ministry 
had  resigned,  but  had  again  accepted  office.  This  was  all  the 
news  we  received  from  England,  but  Mr  Kilbee  added  unsatis- 
factory intelligence  from  Beyrout.  He  wrote  that  the  Druses 
had  plundered  Damascus,  and  the  whole  country  was  in  a  state 
little  short  of  rebellion,  and  that  poor  Lady  Hester  Stanhope 
had  died  on  the  night  of  the  2ist  inst.,  having  been  without 
medical  aid  or  the  attendance  of  any  European.  Mr  Moore,  the 
British  Consul,  and  the  Rev.  Mr  Thomson  had  been  to  her  house 
•on  the  23rd,  and  they  buried  her  the  same  night  by  moonlight. 

The  accounts  which  the  messenger  brought  from  Beyrout  of 
the  disturbed  state  of  the  country  induced  some  of  our  men  to 
beg  Sir  Moses  to  discharge  them,  as  they  were  fearful  of  con- 


Encampment  near  Mount  Carmel.  191 

tinuing  the  journey,  and  all  appeared  much  alarmed.  Both  Sir 
Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  were  undecided  by  which  way  they 
should  proceed  to  Alexandria,  as  they  were  unwilling  to  go  by 
sea,  the  boats  from  Haifa  to  Alexandria  being  very  small ;  nor 
did  they  wish  to  risk  an  attack  of  the  Druses  by  going  to 
Beyrout. 

Simday,  June  y>th. — We  heard  heavy  firing  at  Acre,  about 
two  hours'  ride  from  here,  which  caused  some  uneasiness  ;  but 
at  ten  o'clock  the  guardians  informed  us  that  Ibrahim  Pasha  had 
defeated  the  Sultan's  army  near  Aleppo,  and  had  taken  many 
prisoners.  The  firing  of  cannon  at  Acre  was  in  celebration  of 
the  victory.  Sir  Moses  feared  it  was  but  a  proof  of  hostilities 
having  actually  commenced. 

Many  gifts  arrived  'daily  from  the  Agha  of  the  place,  from 
the  Superior  of  the  convent,  and  from  several  Sheiks  in  the 
neighbourhood  ;  and  as  Sir  Moses  invariably  returned  handsome 
presents  to  these  parties,  as  well  as  to  their  servants,  it  is  not 
surprising  that,  in  every  town  and  village  which  they  visited,  the 
gifts  they  received  were  so  numerous. 

The  chief  of  the  quarantine  visited  us  with  the  physician, 
and  requested  me  to  feel  the  pulses  of  every  one  of  our  party, 
including  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore,  and  to  declafe  on 
my  honour  whether  they  were  in  good  health.  They  evidently 
mistook  me  for  a  doctor  of  medicine,  and  I  gladly  complied 
with  their  request.  I  felt  the  pulse  of  everyone,  and  reported  it 
to  be  in  a  most  satisfactory  state.  During  this  examination 
Sir  Moses  was  in  a  state  of  great  uneasiness,  as  the  least  indis- 
position would  have  subjected  him  and  the  rest  of  the  party  to 
an  addition  of  forty  days  extra  quarantine  at  the  least,  which  he 
prayed  heaven  to  avert,  as  he  feared  it  would  make  us  all 
seriously  ill.  The  same  evening  Drs  Keith  and  Black  came  to 
our  tents  and  acquainted  us  with  the  news  they  had  just  received 
from  Haifa.  The  road  to  Beyrout  by  the  sea  shore  was  infested 
with  thieves,  and  the  road  they  had  intended  to  take,  through 
Nablous,  was  quite  impassable  ;  they  had  therefore  determined 
to  proceed  by  sea,  and  intended  leaving  at  six  o'clock  the  next 
morning.  Sir  Moses,  however,  relying  on  the  Almighty's  pro- 
tection, decided  to  go  by  land  with  Mr  Finzi,  the  English 
Consular  Agent  at  Acre,  who  had  offered  to  accompany  us. 

Monday, July  \st. — "We  left  with  a  grateful  heart,"  writes 


192       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

Sir  Moses,  "the  place  of  our  encampment  in  the  morning,  and 
were  accompanied  by  the  superintendent  of  the  quarantine,  the 
British  Consul  at  Haifa,  and  Signer  Finzi,  who  rode  with  us  as 
far  as  the  Synagogue  in  Haifa.  They  wished  to  wait  for  us 
there,  and  then  accompany  us  to  Acre,  but  I  thanked  them  for 
their  intentions  and  begged  them  not  to  do  so ;  they  therefore 
took  leave  of  us  with  many  good  wishes." 

We  entered  the  Synagogue,  which  was  but  a  small  and  mean 
looking  room,  and  after  divine  service  Sir  Moses  and  Lady 
Montefiore  distributed  gifts  to  the  poor  to  the  same  amount  he 
had  given  in  the  other  towns.  He  expressed  his  displeasure  to 
the  Portuguese  community  for  allowing  marriages  among  such 
very  young  people  to  take  place,  and  begged  them  to  follow  the 
example  of  their  co-religionists  in  Jerusalem,  who  allowed  no 
such  early  marriages  as  those  which  must  have  taken  place  in 
Haifa.  Of  the  few  German  Jewish  families  whom  he  saw  there 
he  spoke  in  terms  which  showed  his  great  satisfaction  with  them. 

Tuesday,  July  2nd. — We  set  off  this  morning  at  two.  Our 
road  for  three  hours  lay  through  a  well  cultivated  plain,  but 
after  that  we  had  to  cross  a  steep  and  rugged  mountain.  At 
seven  o'clock  we  stopped  in  a  beautifully  situated  spot  to  rest. 
We  sat  down  under  a  fine  tree  in  a  garden  which  commanded 
an  extensive  sea  view,  but  we  were  informed  that  snakes  had 
been  seen  in  the  garden,  so  we  started  again  at  2  P.M.  Our 
road  led  over  a  mountain  pass,  one  of  the  most  difficult,  Sir 
Moses  said,  he  had  ever  seen.  The  pass  ran  many  hundred  feet 
above  the  sea  and  close  to  the  edge  of  a  precipice  nearly  all  the 
way.  On  descending  into  the  plain  we  found  it  well  cultivated^ 
being  almost  covered  with  white  mulberry  trees.  We  noticed 
several  women  engaged  in  stripping  them  of  their  foliage,  whilst 
others  were  winding  the  silk  off  the  cocoons. 

At  three  o'clock  we  reached  the  fountain,  "  Ain  el  Garni," 
or  "  Sebeel  Iskandrooni,"  and  from  there  to  "  Ain  el  Medfooni  ;"" 
the  road  was  again  very  rocky  and  in  some  parts  precipitous. 
Lady  Montefiore  being  an  excellent  rider,  galloped  along  rather 
heedlessly,  and  her  horse  rushed  right  into  the  sea.  Appre- 
hending danger,  I  galloped  after  and  succeeded  in  overtaking- 
her,  and  in  seizing  the  bridle  of  her  horse.  In  doing  so  my  own 
horse  stumbled  and  threw  me  rather  heavily,  but  fortunately 
the  fall  was  not  attended  by  any  serious  consequences.  The 


State  of  the  Country. 

waters  of  the  fountain  just  named  bear  a  great  reputation  among 
the  natives  in  that  neighbourhood  for  their  healing  qualities', 
and  numerous  invalids  may  always  be  found  there,  who  come 
for  the  cure  of  their  various  ailments.  At  six  we  encamped 
n-ar  the  famous  fountain  known  by  the  name  of  "  Ras  el-'ain," 
where  the  ruins  of  its  great  aqueduct  leading  to  "  El  Ma'-shuk  " 
(an  isolated  hill  in  the  plain)  and  the  ancient  Tyre  were  still  to 
be  seen.  This  fountain  and  those  previously  named  were  con- 
sidered by  several  writers  of  the  middle  ages  to  be  identical 
with  those  alluded  to  by  King  Solomon  in  the  Song  of  Songs 
(iv.  15):  "A  fountain  of  gardens,  a  well  of  living  waters,  and 
streams  from  Lebanon." 

July  yd. — We  rose  about  one  o'clock,  set  off  at  three,  and 
reached  "  Nahr  el  Kasimiyah  "  at  five.  When  we  had  crossed 
the  river  of  that  name,  we  saw  a  wolf  under  some  rocks,  about 
thirty  yards  distant.  One  of  our  guards^  fired  immediately,  but 
only  succeeded  in  frightening  it,  and  it  ran  away.  The  shock 
of  the  musket  threw  the  man  off  his  horse \  "So  much  for 
guards!"  exclaimed  Sir  Moses.  "This  was  one  of  the  three 
men  we  took  from  Acre,  on  account  of  the  dangerous  condition 
which  the  roads  were  reported  to  be  in."  Afterwards  we  saw- 
four  beautiful  young  deer  bounding  along  the  sea  shore,  and  the 
British  Consular  Agent  hurried  on  in  the  hope  of  getting  a  shot 
at  them  ;  but  he  was  disappointed,  much  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  soldier  who  had  been  so  unsuccessful  in  attempting  to  kill 
the  wolf.  He  slyly  observed  that  he  was  pleased  to  find  some 
one  equally  clever  in  the  party ;  nevertheless,  he  continued, 
"  our  will  was  good,  even  if  we  failed  in  the  deed."  We  rested 
at  "  El  Kantare."  During  the  day  we  came  across  quantities  of 
wheat  that  was  being  cut  and  carried,  and  observed  many  men 
in  the  fields,  but  they  were  all  Druses.  They  were  the  only 
able-bodied  men  we  had  seen  engaged  in  agriculture  during  the 
whole  of  our  tour.  The  crops  were  everywhere  most  abundant, 
and  of  excellent  quality.  Indian  corn  and  tobacco  covered 
much  land,  and  had  likewise  a  most  promising  appearance. 

Sir  Moses  now  sent  a  messenger  to  Mr  Kilbee,  of  Beyrout, 
requesting  him  to  engage  a  house  for  us.  We  started  at  four, 
and  reached  Bassatin  towards  the  evening,  where  we  encamped 
for  the  night.  On  the  road  we  met  three  men,  who  were  recog- 
nised as  belonging  to  the  sect  of  the  Metouali  by  the  peculiar 
I.  N 


194       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

turbans  which  they  wore.  Our  guides  begged  them  to  let  us 
have  a  little  water  to  drink,  but  this  they  refused  to  do.  As  it 
is  a  most  unusual  thing  in  the  East  not  to  allow  a  traveller  to 
quench  his  thirst,  they  were  ultimately  compelled  to  hand  us 
their  jars  of  water,  though  not  before  some  unpleasant  arguments 
as  to  their  right  of  giving  or  withholding  had  taken  place.  Our 
people,  having  slaked  their  thirst,  returned  the  jars  to  the 
Metoualis,  who  took  them,  and  immediately  dashed  them 
against  the  stones,  where  they  were  shattered  to  pieces.  The 
strangers  assigned  as  their  excuse  for  doing  so,  that  their  religion 
forbade  their  using  any  vessel  after  it  had  been  touched  by 
a  person  of  a  different  creed. 

July  4///. — We  rose  soon  after  midnight,  and  started  at  two 
o'clock.  Our  road  lay  for  some  distance  along  the  sands,  close 
to  the  sea,  and  over  rocks,  from  which  we  obtained  fine  views  of 
the  distant  mountains.  We  reached  "  Chadi "  at  eight,  and 
reposed  there  till  4  P.M.,  when  we  again  set  forward,  and  pro- 
ceeded as  far  as  "  Bir  Khassan,"  a  small  tavern  on  the  road  side. 
Here  we  recited  a  prayer  of  thanks  for  our  safe  return.  A 
number  of  our  brethren  came  to  meet  us,  and  in  their  company 
we  continued  our  journey  to  Beyrout,  which  place  we  reached 
at  eight  o'clock.  The  afternoon's  ride  had  been  extremely 
beautiful,  our  route  taking  us  through  what  seemed  a  succession 
of  gardens.  Sir  Moses,  however,  felt  very  weak,  and  thought 
he  could  not  have  endured  another  day's  journey.  We  found 
.a  house,  which  had  formerly  been  inhabited  by  the  Rev.  Mr 
Thomson,  comfortably  prepared  for  us. 

Friday,  July  $///. — Beyrout. — Sir  Moses  received  a  visit  from 
the  Governor  of  the  town,  who  said  he  was  happy  to  see  us 
safely  returned,  as  he  had  been  uneasy  on  our  account.  "  In- 
deed," he  observed,  "you  displayed  more  courage  than  prudence 
in  attempting  such  a  journey  under  existing  circumstances,  and 
I  am  delighted  to  think  you  met  with  so  little  inconvenience." 
He  also  gave  us  the  official  account  he  had  received  of  the 
victqry.  He  said  12,000  prisoners  had  been  captured,  besides 
140  pieces  of  cannon,  and  25,000  stands  of  arms,  the  killed  and 
wounded  on  both  sides  being  9000.  The  victory  had  been 
most  decisive,  and  the  whole  of  the  Turkish  army  was  annihi- 
lated. "  Before  this  battle,"  the  Governor  continued,  "the  country 
was  in  a  state  little  short  of  open  rebellion.  There  being  no 


Arrival  in  Beyr out.  195 

troops  left  to  keep  the  Druses  in  check,  they  came  down  from 
the  mountains,  and  pillaged  the  towns  at  their  pleasure.  Many 
of  the  inhabitants  of  Damascus  and  Safed  fled  to  Beyrout  and 
Acre  for  refuge." 

The  residence  which  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  occu- 
pied was  so  pleasant,  that  it  contributed  greatly  towards  their 
recovery  from  the  fatigue  and  excitement  of  the  journey.  The 
house  stood  very  high,  in  the  midst  of  a  beautiful  garden.  It 
was  about  three  quarters  of  an  hour's  ride  from  the  town,  and 
commanded  beautiful  views  of  the  sea,  the  adjacent  country,  and 
the  mountains  of  Lebanon.  The  gardens  in  the  neighbourhood 
were  mostly  filled  with  mulberry  trees  (white)  for  the  cultivation 
of  silk-worms,  and,  at  a  short  distance,  we  noticed  several  sand 
hills.  These  hills  move  progressively,  and  destroy  the  country 
in  their  course  by  burning  the  land  and  trees.  Of  many  fig 
trees  only  the  tops  remain  visible.  In  the  evening  several 
visitors  belonging  to  the  Hebrew  community  arrived,  and  joined 
in  divine  service  for  the  Sabbath. 

July  6th. — The  Austrian  steamer  from  Jaffa  arrived,  bringing 
reports  that  Russia  had  chartered  400  transports  to  convey 
25,000  troops  from  Odessa  to  Constantinople. 

July  Jth. — Many  visitors  came  to  offer  their  congratulations 
on  our  safe  return  from  the  journey  ;  among  others,  Mr  Moore, 
the  British  Consul,  who  told  us  that  English,  French,  and 
Austrian  steamers  were  expected  with  further  information 
respecting  the  political  state  of  Egypt,  Turkey,  and  Syria, 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 
1839- 

ON  BOARD  THE  ACHERON—  SIR  MOSES'  PLANS  ON  BEHALF  OF 
THE  JEWS  IN  PALESTINE — INTERVIEW  WITH  BOGHOZ  BEY 
— PROPOSED  JOINT  STOCK  BANKS  IN  THE  EAST. 

Jl/f  ON  DA  Y,  July  8t/i. — We  sent  the  greater  part  of  our 
•^  luggage  on  board  the  Acheron,  under  the  command  of 

Captain  Kennedy,  and  prepared  to  start  at  a  moment's  notice. 
Sir  Moses  occupied  himself  with  writing  letters  to  Mr  Young, 
the  British  Consul  at  Jerusalem,  to  whom  he  sent  money  for 
distribution  among  the  indigent  Christians  of  the  Holy  City,  as 
.  well  as  for  their  burial  ground.  To  Mr  Joseph  Amsaleg  he  sent 
^500  for  the  poor  of  the  Hebrew  communities,  and  to  the  Rev. 
Mr  Thomson  he  sent  a  donation  for  the  Christian  poor  of 
Beyrout,  as  well  as  a  souvenir  for  himself,  in  consideration  of 
the  accommodation  afforded  to  Sir  Moses  in  his  house.  To  the 
poor  of  Safed  he  gave,  through  R.  Moses  Schmerling,  53,500 
piastres,  and  to  those  of  Hebron  he  gave,  through  Nissan 
Drucker,  11,770  piastres,  being  the  amount  he  had  promised  for 
these  two  Holy  Qties. 

The  following  day  Sir  Moses  concluded  his  arrangements 
with  the  representatives  of  the  Hebrew  community  in  Beyrout, 
respecting  the  distribution  of  his  gifts  for  their  Synagogue  and 
poor.  This  being  accomplished,  his  work  for  the  day  was  over. 

"  I  am  now  anxious,"  said  Sir  Moses,  "  to  have  an  interview 
with  the, Pasha  at  Alexandria,  for  the  purpose  of  claiming  of  his 
Highness  security  for  the  persons  and  property  of  the  Jews  in 
Palestine,  and  particularly  for  those  at  Safed  and  Tiberias, 
where  they  are  continually  exposed  to  insult,  robbery,  and 
murder.  I  have  also  several  other  requests  to  make  of  him,  viz., 
that  he  will  order  the  walls  of  Tiberias  to  be  repaired  ;  that  he 
will  admit  the  evidence  of  Jews  in  cases  brought  before  the 
judges  or  governors  of  the  land  ;  that  he  will  permit  land  and 


On  Board  the  "  Acheron"  197 

villages  to  be  rented  on  a  lease  of  fifty  years,  free  from  all  taxes 
or  claims  of  governors,  the  rent  to  be  paid  at  Alexandria ;  that 
he  will  allow  me  to  send  people  to  assist  and  instruct  the  Jews 
in  a  better  mode  of  cultivating  land,  the  olive,  the  vine,  cotton, 
and  mulberries,  as  well  as  the  breeding  of  sheep  ;  finally,  that  he 
will  give  me  a  firman  to  open  banks  in  Beyrout,  Jaffa,  Jerusa- 
lem, and  Cairo.  I  sincerely  pray,"  he  continued,  "that  my 
journey  to  the  Holy  Land  may  prove  beneficial  to  the  Jews ; 
not  only  to  those  who  are  already  there,  but  to  many  others  who 
may  come  to  settle  in  the  Holy  Cities,  either  from  love  for  the 
Land  of  Promise,  or  from  a  desire  to  quit  countries  where  per- 
secution prevents  their  living  in  peace.  I  shall  then  be  amply 
repaid  for  the  fatigue  and  anxiety  of  my  journey." 

July  IO//2. — Sir  Moses  had  been  extremely  unwell  on  Tuesday 
and  confined  to  his  room,  but  feeling  a  little  better  the  next 
morning,  he  gave  orders  for  our  immediate  departure,  as  the 
English  Consul  had  informed  us  of  the  arrival  of  the  Indian 
Mail  Packet,  adding  that  we  must  embark  at  once,  as  the  boat 
would  get  under  weigh  about  noon.  Having  taken  leave  of  all 
our  friends,  we  proceeded  to  the  wharf,  where  Captain  Kennedy's 
boat  took  us  on  board  the  Acheron.  We  were  under  weigh  at 
seven  o'clock.  The  weather  was  extremely  sultry,  and  a  terrible 
swell,  with  a  head  wind,  contributed  greatly  to  the  discomfort 
of  all  on  board. 

July  1 2th. — At  five  o'clock  in  the  morning  we  had  a  sight  of 
land  off  Rosetta,  and  at  half-past  nine  we  passed  the  Egyptian 
fleet ;  fourteen  ships  under  full  sail,  standing  to  the  east,  about 
twelve  miles  from  Alexandria.  They  made  a  very  imposing 
appearance.  All  had  new  sails  ;  they  kept  an  equal  distance  ship 
from  ship,  a  cable  and  a  half's  length  apart  (900  feet),  and  formed 
an  excellent  line.  The  second  ship,  with  a  flag  at  the  foremast, 
was  the  Vice-Admiral's.  The  Admiral  was  in  the  centre  of  the 
line,  which  consisted  of  eleven  line  of  battleships  with  three  tiers 
of  guns,  two  large  frigates,  and  one  large  corvette.  The  Rear- 
Admiral's  flag  was  at  the  mizzen  of  the  last  ship.  We  anchored 
safely  in  the  harbour  of  Alexandria  at  1 1  A.M.  The  men-of-war 
in  the  harbour  were  all  dressed  with  flags,  and  over  the  houses 
of  the  Consuls  floated  the  flags  of  their  several  nations.  The 
captain  took  us  on  shore  in  his  boat,  and  at  one  o'clock  we 
reached  the  hotel.  The  first  news  we  learned  on  our  arrival  was 


198       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

that  the  Sultan  was  dead,  and  that  his  son  and  successor  had 
accorded  the  Dominion  of  Egypt  to  Mohhammad  AH  and  his 
successors. 

Sir  Moses  called  on  Colonel  Campbell,  but  he  had  to  wait 
some  time  before  seeing  him,  as  the  Colonel  was  with  the 
Pasha.  The  Colonel  willingly  consented  to  introduce  Sir  Moses 
to  Bo^hoz  Bey,  and  fixed  four  o'clock  for  the  purpose.  Colonel 
Campbell  said  he  would  call  for  Sir  Moses,  and  bring  one  of 
his  horses  for  him. 

The  Colonel  was  punctual,  and  we  rode  together  to  the 
residence  of  Boghoz  Bey.  Sir  Moses  gave  him  his  three 
requests  in  writing,  and  he  promised  to  lay  them  before 
Mohhammad  Ali  and  explain  them  to  him.  The  Bey  ap- 
peared well  inclined  to  forward  his  requests,  and  offered  to 
present  him  to  the  Pasha  either  the  same  evening  or  the  next 
morning.  Sir  Moses  fixed  nine  o'clock  the  next  day,  although 
Colonel  Campbell  wished  it  to  be  the  same  evening.  Sir  Moses 
was,  however,  desirous  that  the  Pasha  should  have  time  to  con- 
sider and  talk  over  the  matter  with  his  minister  before  the  inter- 
view, and  it  being  near  Sabbath,  he  knew  not  how  to  get  there. 

July  i3//r. — We  rose  at  five  in  the  morning;  recited  the 
Sabbath  morning  prayers.  About  half-past  seven  we  proceeded 
to  the  Pasha's  palace.  The  Sardinian  Consul  kindly  lent  Sir 
Moses  his  sedan  chair,  the  only  one  to  be  found  in  Egypt  at 
that  time.  We  could  not  ride  in  a  carriage  on  account  of  the 
Sabbath.  Sir  Moses  was  in  full  uniform,  and  wore  his  Sheriff's 
chain.  The  palace  was  situated  about  half-an-hour's  distance 
from  the  Hotel  de  1'Europe,  and  commanded  an  extensive  view 
of  both  harbours,  as  well  as  the  outer  roads.  The  Pasha's  fleet 
was  in  full  sail  nearly  opposite  to  his  window. 

Sir  Moses  gives  the  following  account  of  his  interview  with 
the  Pasha : — 

"  I  had  to  wait,"  he  writes,  "  for  Colonel  Campbell  in  one  01" 
the  attendance  rooms,  being  before  the  time  I  had  appointed  to 
meet  him  ;  he  came  very  punctually  at  nine  o'clock.  We  were 
immediately  admitted  to  the  presence  of  Mohhammad  Ali. 
He  received  me  standing,  then  taking  his  seat  on  the  divan, 
he  motioned  me  to  a  seat  on  his  right  hand,  Dr  Loewe  next 
to  me,  and  Colonel  Campbell  on  the  left  of  the  Pasha.  His 
Highness  gave  me  a  very  gracious  reception,  and  spoke  on  each 


Interview  with  the  Pasha.  1 99 

of  my  requests.  Referring  to  the  one  for  renting  land  of  him 
in  Palestine,  he  said  he  had  no  land  there,  but  any  contract  I 
might  make  with  the  Mussulmans  should  have  his  approval,  and 
he  would  send  it  to  Constantinople  for  confirmation. 

"On  repeating  that  I  had  been  led  to  believe  that  his 
Highness  possessed  land  there,  from  information  I  had  received 
when  in  the  country,  he  replied  that  if  I  could  point  out  the 
parts  belonging  to  him,  I  could  have  them. 

"  He  said  he  would  be  glad  to  see  the  land  better  culti- 
vated, and  I  might  send  proper  persons  with  agricultural 
implements. 

"  I  then  spoke  to  him  on  the  subject  of  the  Jews  being 
admitted  as  witnesses  at  Safed,  Tiberias,  and  Hebron,  in  the 
same  manner  as  in  Jerusalem.  He  first  said  that  on  account 
of  their  religion  they  could  not  be  permitted  to  give  evidence 
against  Mussulmans,  but  on  my  again  repeating  that  they  were 
so  permitted  in  Jerusalem,  he  replied  that  Jews  and  Christians 
should  be  treated  alike,  and  there  should  be  no  difference 
between  them. 

"  I  then  spoke  to  him  as  to  the  rebuilding  of  the  wall  round 
the  town  of  Tiberias,  which  had  been  destroyed  by  the  earth- 
quake. I  said  there  were  plenty  of  stones  on  the  spot,  and 
people  willing  to  do  the  work  free  of  expense,  as  the  inhabitants 
were  at  present  so  much  exposed  to  robbers.  At  first  he  mis- 
understood me,  and  asked  which  wall  it  was  that  the  Jews 
wished  to  repair.  I  explained  to  him  that  both  Mussulmans  and 
Jews  were  equally  anxious  that  the  city  wall  should  be  repaired  : 
both  had  written  and  spoken  to  me  on  the  subject  whilst  I  was 
at  Tiberias,  begging  me  to  represent  to  him  the  present  insecure 
state  of  the  city ;  all  that  was  required  was  his  order  to  have  the 
work  done.  He  said  he  would  order  a  report  to  be  made 
immediately  to  him,  and  the  wall  repaired. 

"  1  told  him  that  in  the  cultivation  of  land,  security  was  neces- 
sary for  both  land  and  person,  and  I  hoped  they  would  have  it 
This  he  also  promised. 

"  I  then  spoke  of  establishing  joint  stock  banks  with  a  capital 
of  ;£i,OOO,coo  sterling,  with  power  to  increase  it,  if  necessary. 
His  eyes  sparkled  at  this  ;  he  appeared  delighted,  and  assured 
me  the  bank  should  have  his  protection,  and  he  should  be  happy 
to  see  it  established. 


200       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

"  I  mentioned  the  branches  :  Alexandria,  Beyrout,  Damascus, 
Jaffa,  Jerusalem,  and  Cairo. 

"I  said  I  was  happy  to  see  him  looking  so  well ;  he  did  not 
appear  to  me  older  than  when  I  had  the  honour  of  being  pre- 
sented to  him  at  Cairo  in  1827.  This  is  really  the  fact.  I  then 
congratulated  him  on  the  fine  appearance  of  his  fleet,  which  I 
had  passed  yesterday.  He  replied,  '  At  present  it  is  very  small.' 

"  I  presented  him  with  a  bronze  medal  of  our  most  gracious 
queen,  struck  by  the  city  of  London  to  commemorate  Her 
Majesty's  visit  to  the  Guildhall  on  the  9th  of  November  1837. 
He  appeared  pleased,  examined  it  attentively  on  both  sides, 
asked  me  if  it  was  a  good  likeness  of  the  Queen,  then  thanked 
me  for  it.  I  took  leave,  and  returned  to  the  hotel  the  same  way 
I  came,  being  followed  the  whole  way  by  crowds  of  curious 
people. 

"Boghoz  Bey,  the  Pasha's  Minister  of  Commerce,  had  read  over 
and  explained  my  requests  to  him  on  the  previous  evening,  that 
he  might  be  fully  aware  of  the  object  of  my  visit  to  him.  Being 
anxious  to  have  Mohhammad  Ali's  answers  in  writing,  which  he 
said  Boghoz  Bey  should  give  me,  as  he  had  been  present  at  our 
interview,  I  called  on  the  Bey,  but  he  had  not  returned  from 
the  Palace. 

"  Between  four  and  five  I  walked  there  with  Dr  Loewe.  Bog- 
hoz Bey  received  me  most  politely,  and  said  as  I  had  not  put  my 
signature  to  the  written  requests,  he  could  not  give  me  an 
answer  in  writing,  but  he  hoped  I  was  perfectly  satisfied  with 
what  Mohhammad  Ali  had  promised  me  this  morning.  He 
added  that  as  soon  as  I  had  made  my  several  requests  in  writing* 
and  signed  them,  he  would  write  me  the  answer,  agreeably  with 
the  Pasha's  words,  as  he  had  accorded  me  all  I  required. 

"  I  thanked  him,  and  immediately  after  the  conclusion  of 
Sabbath  I  wrote,  and  sent  the  several  requests  to  Boghoz  Bey, 
properly  signed  in  the  form  of  letters." 

Numbers  of  visitors  came  to  pay  their  respects  to  Sir  Moses 
and  Lady  Montefiore,  and  offered  congratulations  on  their  safe 
return  from  Palestine.  Mr  Waghorn  (the  originator  of  the 
short  overland  route  between  England  and  India),  read  to  Sir 
Moses  the  letters  he  had  just  addressed  to  Lord  Palmerston, 
Mr  Hobhouse,  and  the  Times  newspaper  on  the  subject,  The 
heat  was  intense,  and  we  were  so  terribly  persecuted  by  insects 


Plans  on  Behalf  of  the  Jews.  201 

that  the  pleasure  of  our  interesting  discussions  was  greatly 
marred.  Sir  Moses  indeed  observed  that  he  could  not  live 
in  Egypt,  even  to  be  king  of  the  land. 

Sunday,  July  \^th. — A  deputation  from  the  Hebrew  com- 
munity, headed  by  their  Ecclesiastical  Chief,  and  the  representa- 
tives of  their  schools  and  charitable  institutions,  waited  on.  Sir 
Moses  to  report  on  the  state  of  their  Synagogues,  &c.  Sir 
Moses,  with  his  usual  liberality,  contributed  towards  the  funds 
of  all  their  charities.  He  then  requested  me  to  wait  on  Boghoz 
Bey  to  receive  the  letter  which  the  minister  had  promised  him. 
Accompanied  by  Lady  Montefiore,  Sir  Moses  afterwards  paid 
some  visits,  and  took  leave  of  all  who  had  called  on  them  ;  and, 
this  being  accomplished,  they  proceeded  to  the  harbour,  where 
a  boat  belonging  to  the  Pasha  was  waiting  to  take  them  on 
board  the  Acheron.  The  peculiar  phraseology  of  the  conversa- 
tion I  held  with  Boghoz  Bey,  partly  in  Arabic  and  partly  in 
Turkish,  made  it  desirable  to  give  Sir  Moses,  on  my  return,  an 
•exact  translation  of  it  in  writing,  but  it  may  be  briefly  related 
as  follows.  After  the  usual  exchange  of  compliments,  I  en- 
deavoured to  obtain  a  definite  answer  to  the  letter  addressed  by 
Sir  Moses  to  the  Pasha,  but  the  Bey  did  not  qare  to  express  him- 
self on  any  other  subject  than  that  of  the  proposed  bank,  and 
the  elaborate  manner  in  which  he  sought  to  induce  Sir  Moses 
to  establish  the  bank  without  delay,  the  enticing  promises  of 
protection,  patronage,  and  personal  profit  which  he  held  out, 
left  no  room  for  doubt  as  to  the  interest  he  took  in  the  scheme. 
I,  on  my  part,  enumerated  in  detail  all  the  points  to  which  Sir 
Moses  attached  so  much  importance,  and  the  concessions  which 
he  asked  in  favour  of  religious  toleration,  justice,  and  the  prac- 
tice of  agriculture  and  the  establishment  of  colonies.  Upon  my 
pressing  for  an  early  reply,  the  Bey  again  endeavoured  to  gain 
time,  and  for  that  purpose  changed  the  subject  by  opening  a 
religious  discussion,  taking  for  his  theme  the  interpretation  of 
the  prophet's  words,  "  And  the  Eternal  shall  be  King  over  all  the 
earth;  on  that  day  there  shall  be  one  Lord,  and  His  name  One." 
He  seemed  to  be  under  the  impression  that  this  would  be  an 
earthly  king.  I  soon  succeeded  in  allaying  his  fears,  and  con- 
vincing him  that  the  words  of  the  prophet  Zachariah  referred  to 
the  King  of  kings,  the  Almighty  in  Heaven. 

Eventually  he  fixed  ten  o'clock  as  the  time  for  receiving  my 


2O2       Diaries  of  Sir  Afoses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

reply,   and   after  a  repetition   of  the  customary   Eastern    com- 
plimentary phrases  I  withdrew. 

It  had  struck  me  that  the  strange  question  the  minister  had 
put  to  me  regarding  the  expectation  ©f  having  one  King  over  all 
the  world,  had  been  brought  to  his  mind  by  the  promoters  of 
the  colony  which  he  told  me  intended  to  settle  in  Syria.  Pos- 
sibly they  might  have  been  informed  of  Sir  Moses'  plans,  and 
made  some  remarks  which  had  come  to  the  ears  of  the  minister. 
I  therefore  deemed  it  right  to  reassure  him  on  the  subject,  so 
that  no  one  should  for  a  moment  be  led  to  believe  that  Sir 
Moses  had  any  other  object  in  view  than  that  distinctly  stated 
in  his  letter  to  the  Pasha. 

I  went  once  more  to  Boghoz  Bey,  but  not  finding  him  at 
home,  proceeded  at  once  to  the  Palace.  On  my  arrival  there,  I 
went  to  the  secretary's  hall  and  wrote  a  lew  lines,  stating  that 
I  had  come  to  see  His  Excellency  Boghoz  Bey  for  the  pro- 
mised reply,  intending  to  send  it  in  to  him,  notwithstanding  his 
being  with  the  Pasha.  As  I  was  in  the  act  of  handing  the  note 
to  one  of  the  attendants,  the  minister  came  out  saying,  "  Come, 
my  friend,  immediately  with  me  to  His  Highness."  After 
having  made  my  first  and  second  bow,  Boghoz  Bey  said  to  the 
Pasha,  "  This  is  the  very  person,"  alluding  probably  to  the 
subject  of  their  recent  conversation. 

The  Pasha  smiled.  Artim  Bey  then  said,  "You  will  hear 
word  for  word  just  as  I  said  to  you  yesterday." 

The  Pasha — "  I  received  the  letter  from  Sir  Moses  just  this 
very  moment,  that  is,  the  official  letter,  and  I  shall  send  him  two 
letters  in  reply,  one  which  will  reach  him  when  he  will  be  per- 
forming quarantine  in  Malta ;  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  his 
letter,  and  informing  him  that  I  will  take  steps  to  ascertain  all 
particulars  respecting  the  land  he  wishes  to  take  on  lease ;  but 
with  regard  to  the  protection  of  the  people,  the  admission  of 
evidence  given  by  Jewish  witnesses,  and  the  repair  of  the  wall  of 
Tiberias,  I  shall  immediately  give  orders.  The  latter  shall  be 
done,  whether  the  stones  and  materials  are  to  be  found  there  or 
not,  whether  people  will  come  forward  willing  to  work  or  not ; 
all  will  be  done.  I  shall  also  write  to  Sir  Moses  in  the  same 
letter  respecting  the  establishment  of  banks  ;  all  will  be  satis- 
factory. The  second  letter,  in  which  all  particulars  respecting 
the  contract,  and  the  pointing  out  of  land  which  belongs  to 


Leave  Alexandria.  203 

me,  or  which  I  shall  have  to  take  for  Sir  Moses  from  others,  he 
will  receive  as  soon  as  we  shall  have  obtained  all  the  required 
information.  Be  sure  of  all  I  have  told  you." 

I  thereupon  said  :  "  But  perhaps  His  Highness  would  be  #o 
gracious  as  to  give  me  even  these  few  words  in  writing." 

Upon  this  both  Boghoz  Bey  and  Artim  Bey  at  once  began : 
"  My  dear  L.,  yesterday  was  your  Sabbath  and  to-day  is  ours  ;  I 
know  you  are  strict  in  the  observance  of  your  religious  tenets, 
therefore  we  beg  you  will  not  insist  on  our  writing." 

The  Pasha  smiled,  so  did  all  present.  Boghoz  Bey  made 
several  observations  to  the  Pasha  respecting  our  conversation  of 
yesterday.  Having  expressed  my  thanks  to  the  Pasha,  in  the 
name  of  Sir  Moses,  I  withdrew  from  his  presence. 

At  3  P.M.  the  Acheron  left  the  harbour.  Our  bill  oi  health 
from  Alexandria  stated,  "  With  regard  to  the  health  of  the  place, 
occasional  cases  of  plague  occur  in  this  town."'  This  was  signed 
by  John  Wingfield  Larking,  Her  Britannic  Majesty's  Consul. 
We  were  naturally  all  glad  to  quit  the  place. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

1839. 

ARRIVAL  AT  MALTA — HOME  AGAIN — BOGHOZ  BEY  RETURNS 
NO  ANSWER — TOUCHING  APPEAL  FROM  THE  PERSECUTED 
JEWS  OF  DAMASCUS  AND  RHODES— REVIVAL  OF  THE  OLD 
CALUMNY  ABOUT  KILLING  CHRISTIANS  TO  PUT  THEIR 
BLOOD  IN  PASSOVER  CAKES. 

/UL  Y  I'&th. — About  ten  o'clock  at  night  we  entered  the  quar- 
antine harbour  at  Malta,  where  we  were  ordered  to  remain 
till  August  7th.  To  be  confined  for  twenty  days,  during  the  hot 
summer  months,  with  three  hundred  pilgrims,  at  Fort  Manoel, 
was  already  a  cause  of  great  discomfort  to  Sir  Moses  and  Lady 
Montefiore,  but  the  circumstances  were  here  made  especially 
painful  to  them  by  the  loss  of  a  faithful  servant,  whose  death 
occurred  during  their  stay  in  the  Lazaretto.  In  addition  to 
this  they  received  news  that  the  Turkish  fleet  had  been  delivered 
up  to  Mohhammad  Ali,  in  Alexandria,  by  Kapoudan  Pasha; 
that  the  Sultan  was  dead,  and  150,000  Russian  troops  had 
arrived  at  Constantinople.  This  change  in  the  political  horizon 
frustrated  almost  all  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore's  hopes  of 
seeing  their  schemes  for  the  amelioration  of  the  condition  of 
Syria  realised.  There  was  no  chance  now  of  receiving  letters 
from  Mohhammad  Ali. 

August  6th. — The  captain  of  the  Lazaretto  was  there  before 
ve  o'clock  in  the  morning  to  give  us  pratique.  Sir  Moses  and 
Lady  Montefiore  went  to  the  Synagogue,  presented  some  orna- 
ments for  the  Ark,  and  various  gifts  to  the  officers.  They  also 
called  on  the  Governor,  and  after  paying  visits  to  Sir  Hector 
Grey  and  their  many  other  friends,  went  on  board  our  steamer 
the  Lycurgus. 

August  7th. — About  twelve  o'clock  the  steamer  moved  out 
of  the  harbour,  and  we  all  bade  farewell  to  the  island.  On 
Saturday  we  cast  anchor  in  the  roads  of  Leghorn.  When  leav- 


Marseilles — Paris.  205 

ing  that  place,  Sir  Moses  remained  looking  at  the  city  as  long  as 
it  continued  in  sight.  "  Heaven  only  knows,"  he  said,  "  whether 
I  have  seen  the  place  of  my  birth  for  the  last  time ;  the  state  of 
my  health  and  my  age  would  lead  me  to  believe  that  I  can 
scarcely  hope  to  visit  it  again.  May  peace,  happiness,  and  pros- 
perity attend  my  relatives  and  all  its  other  inhabitants ! " 

Aiigust  i  \th. — At  Marseilles,  Sir  Moses  visited  the  gas-works, 
and  expressed  great  pleasure  at  seeing  the  new  gas  holder  and 
coal  shed  nearly  finished.  In  the  evening  he  invited  all  the 
gentlemen  connected  with  the  Imperial  Continental  Gas  Associa- 
tion to  take  tea  with  him. 

August  \$th. — We  left  Marseilles  and  proceeded  via  Aix,  Avig- 
non, Valence,  and  Lyons  to  Chalons.  Here  we  had  an  instance 
of  the  great  attention  which  Sir  Moses  invariably  paid  to  every- 
thing he  saw.  Having  noticed  a  man  lighting  the  street  lamps 
without  the  aid  of  a  ladder,  he  sent  for  the  man  to  come  to  our 
hotel,  desiring  him  to  bring  with  him  the  long  stick  he  had  used 
in  lighting  the  lamps.  The  man  came  and  showed  it  to  him  ;  it 
had  a  small  lantern  near  the  top,  and  was  furnished  with  a  hook. 
In  explaining  its  use  the  man  pointed  out  that  the  burners  had 
no  taps  but  valves,  which  were  raised  or  lowered  by  the  hook. 
"  It  appears  to  me,"  said  Sir  Moses,  "  a  very  simple  and  neat 
contrivance,  a  saving  of  time,  and  consequently  expense,  both  in 
lighting  and  extinguishing  the  flame."  He  requested  me  to 
make  an  exact  drawing  of  the  stick,  with  the  lantern  and  hook 
attached  to  it,  and  before  leaving  the  hotel,  made  the  man 
promise  to  bring  him  one  of  the  burners  to  look  at. 

Thursday,  August  22nd. — W,e  reached  Paris.  Baron  Anselm 
de  Rothschild,  who  had  been  with  the  King  at  Eu,  told  Sir 
Moses  that  the  Pasha  had  refused  to  give  up  the  Turkish  fleet, 
and  the  King  would  not  compel  him.  Sir  Moses  called  on  Mr 
Bulwer,  who  informed  him  that  the  King  would  probably  be  in 
Paris  in  five  or  six  days,  and  wished  Sir  Moses  to  remain  there, 
so  as  to  be  presented  to  him.  Mr  Bulwer  also  promised  to  take 
him  to  an  evening  party,  to  be  given  on  September  3rd  by 
Marshal  Soult.  But  Sir  Moses  was  longing  to  return  to  England, 
and  would  not  prolong  his  stay. 

August  30//A — We  left  the  French  capital  for  Beauvais, 
where  we  remained  over  Sabbath.  On  Sunday  we  proceeded 
to  Boulogne,  and  on  Thursday,  September  5th,  we  arrived 
safely  at  Dover.  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  continued 


206       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

their  journey  on  the  same  day  to  Ramsgate,  where  they  arrived 
in  time  to  be  present  at  the  evening  service  in  their  Synagogue, 
and  to  offer  up  fervent  thanks  to  the  Most  High  for  their  safe 
return  after  so  long  an  absence  and  so  dangerous  an  excursion. 
The  next  day  they, left  Ramsgate  for  Richmond,  where  they 
were  received  with  most  tender  affection  by  their  mother/sisters, 
and  brothers,  and  every  member  of  their  family. 

On  their  return  their  correspondence  with  the  East  increased 
rapidly,  and  engaged  much  of  their  attention.  Messengers  fre- 
quently arrived  from  Jerusalem  to  entreat  them  to  do  what  they 
possibly  could  to  improve  the  condition  of  the  Jews  there.  Both 
Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  took  great  pleasure  in  relieving, 
as  far  as  in  their  power,  every  deserving  case. 

At  the  end  of  December  Sir  Moses  thought  he  might,  with- 
out impropriety,  remind  His  Excellency  Boghoz  Bey,  Minister 
•of  Finance  in  Egypt,  of  the  promise  the  Viceroy  had  made 
him,  when  he  was  at  Alexandria,  respecting  the  purchase  of  land 
in  Syria,  and  the  establishment  of  banks  there  and  in  Egypt. 
He  addressed  a  letter  to  Boghoz  Bey,  recapitulating  all  the  par- 
ticulars which  he  had  verbally  explained  to  him  and  the  Pasha. 

Weeks  and  months  passed,  and  no  reply  came  from  Egypt. 
Sir  Moses  meanwhile  occupied  himself  with  other  subjects, 
thinking  that  perhaps  another  and  more  favourable  opportunity 
might  present  itself  for  bringing  the  matter  forward  again.  His 
duties  in  connection  with  his  financial  companies  took  up  his 
time  till  about  the  month  of  March,  when  the  report  of  an 
outrage  in  the  East  roused  sorrow  and  indignation  in  the  heart 
of  every  upright  man. 

In  a  letter  from  the  Elders  of  the  Hebrew  community  in 
Constantinople,  addressed  to  Messrs  de  Rothschild  in  London, 
dated  March  the  2yth,  1 840,  we  read  :— 

"  Independently  of  the  tie  which  so  strongly  binds  together 
the  whole  Jewish  community,  of  which  you,  gentlemen,  are 
distinguished  ornaments,  having  always  been  prominent  in 
assisting  our  distressed  brethren,  whose  appeals  to  you  are  not 
infrequent,  your  hearts  cannot  but  be  greatly  moved  to  sympa- 
thise with  two  Jewish  communities  (viz.,  that  of  Damascus, 
under  the  Egyptian  jurisdiction,  and  that  of  Rhodes,  one  of  the 
Ottoman  States)  oppressed  by  the  tyrannies  of  the  Pashas  who 
govern  them. 


Appeal  from  the  Jews  of  Damascus  and  Rhodes.     207 

"These  persecutions  originated  in  calumnies,  which  the 
oppressors  themselves  have  invented,  and  which  have  been  lon°- 
rankling  in  their  hearts,  to  the  prejudice  of  the  Jewish  com- 
munity. Our  brethren  are  accused  of  being  accomplices  in 
murder,  in  order  to  make  their  Passover  cakes  with  the  blood 
of  the  murdered  men— a  thing  in  itself  incredible,  as  being 
forbidden  in  our  holy  religion.  This  report  has,  however,  found 
credence  with  the  governing  Pashas  of  Damascus  and  Rhodes, 
and  they  have  oppressed  and  incarcerated  not  only  several  old 
men  and  Rabbins,  but  even  a  number  of  children,  putting  them 
to  tortures,  of  which  it  makes  men  shudder  to  hear.  Such  is 
the  afflicting  picture  drawn  in  the  letters  of  our  persecuted 
brethren,  of  which,  with  deep  regret,  we  hand  you  copies. 

"The  community  now  addressing  you,  although  implored 
by  the  sufferers  to  put  an  end  to  these  persecutions,  and  to 
prevent,  if  possible,  their  recurrence,  is  deeply  grieved  to  find 
itself  incapacitated  from  affording  any  relief,  in  consequence  of 
being  subject  to  a  Government  not  on  friendly  terms  with  the 
Pasha  of  Egypt. 

"  There  remain,  therefore,  no  means  of  salvation  for  the 
oppressed,  except  an  appeal  to  your  innate  goodness  and  pity. 
We  entreat  you  to  interpose  your  valuable  mediation,  in  such 
manner  and  with  such  persons  as  you  may  deem  most  desirable, 
for  the  safety  of  our  unhappy  brethren  languishing  in  chains  and 
in  prison,  so  as  to  obtain,  from  the  Pasha  of  Egypt,  the  libera- 
tion of  the  Jews  of  Damascus,  and  a  compensation,  not  only 
from  the  governing  Pasha  of  Damascus,  commensurate  with  the 
excesses  committed  by  him,  but  also  from  the  Consular  Agents 
at  Rhodes,  who  have  oppressed  persons  not  subject  to  them. 

"  We,  the  Rabbins  and  Elders  of  this  place,  impressed  with 
the  urgency  of  the  case,  and  moved  by  compassion  for  our 
brethren,  and  further  induced  by  the  report  which  is  current 
throughout  the  world,  of  the  generous  and  philanthropic  senti- 
ments which  animate  you  and  fill  your  hearts,  ever  open  to  the 
miseries  of  the  oppressed,  feel  persuaded  that  you  will  exert 
yourselves  to  do  all  you  possibly  can,  in  these  distressing 
circumstances. 

"  (Signed)    I.  CAMONDO. 

SALAMON  QM.  Mco.  FUA. 
SAMUEL  DE  N.  TREVES. 


2o8       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

"  The  Jews  of  Damascus,  addressing  Messrs  Abram  Conorte 
and  Aaron  Cohen,  Elders  of  the  Congregation  at  Constantinople, 
after  expressing  their  wishes  for  their  health,  say  "as  follows  : — • 

"  To  our  deep  regret,  we  address  you  these  few  lines  to 
inform  you  of  the  continued  state  of  misery  in  which  our 
brethren,  inhabitants  of  Damascus,  still  remain,  as  communi- 
cated to  you  in  my  letter  of  the  lyth  of  Adar  (February), 
forwarded  to  you  by  the  steam-packet.  We  had  hoped  to 
advise  you  in  this  letter  that  the  circumstances  of  the  murder, 
respecting  which  the  Jewish  community  were  calumniated,  had 
been  ascertained,  but  in  this  hope  we  have  been  sadly  disap- 
pointed. We  will  now,  therefore,  repeat  everything  in  detail, 
and  it  is  this  : — 

"  On  Wednesday,  the  1st  day  of  the  month  of  Adar  (February) 
there  disappeared  from  Damascus  a  priest,  who  with  his  servant 
had  dwelt  for  forty  years  in  the  city.  He  exercised  the  profes- 
sion of  physician,  and  visited  the  houses  of  Catholics,  Jews,  and 
Armenians,  for  the  purpose  of  vaccination. 

"The  day  following,  viz.,  Thursday,  there  came  people  into 
the  Jewish  quarter  to  look  for  him,  saying  they  had  seen  both 
him  and  his  servant  in  that  quarter  on  the  previous  day.  In 
order  to  put  into  execution  their  conspiracy  they  seized  a  Jewish 
barber,  telling  him  that  he  must  know  all  about  the  matter, 
and  took  him  to  the  Governor,  who  on  hearing  the  accusation, 
immediately  ordered  him  to  receive  five  hundred  stripes.  He 
was  also  subjected  to  other  cruelties.  During  the  intervals 
between  these  inflictions  he  was  urged  to  accuse  all  the  Jews  as 
accomplices,  and  he,  thinking  by  this  means  to  relieve  himself, 
accused  Messrs  David,  Isaac,  and  Aaron  Harari,  Joseph  Legnado, 
Moses  Abulafia,  Moses  Becar  Juda,  and  Joseph  Harari,  as 
accomplices,  who  had  offered  him  three  hundred  piastres  to 
murder  the  above  mentioned  priest,  inasmuch  as  the  Passover 
holidays  were  approaching,  and  they  required  blood  for  their 
cakes.  He  said  that  he  did  not,  however,  give  ear  to  their 
instigations,  and  did  not  know  what  had  happened  to  the  priest 
and  his  servant.  Upon  this  the  Pasha  caused  the  persons  named 
to  be  arrested  as  instigators,  and  punished  with  blows  and  other 
torments  of  the  most  cruel  nature ;  but  as  they  were  innocent 
they  could  not  confirm  as  true  that  which  was  a  calumny,  and 
therefore,  in  contradiction,  they  asserted  their  innocence,  appeal- 


An  Old  Calumny  revived.  200 

ing  to  the  sacred  writings,  which  strictly  prohibit  the  Jews  from 
feeding  upon  any  blood,  much  less  that  of  a  fellow-creature, 
a  thing  totally  repugnant  to  nature.  Nevertheless  they  were 
imprisoned  with  chains  round  their  necks,  and  had  daily  inflicted 
on  them  the  most  severe  beatings  and  cruelties,  and  were  com- 
pelled to  stand  upright  without  food  of  any  kind  for  fifty  hours 
together. 

"  Subsequently  the  Hebrew  butchers  were  cited  to  appear; 
they  were  put  in  chains  together  with  the  Rabbins  Jacob 
Antubi,  Salomon  Harari,  and  Asaria  Jalfon  ;  and  they  too  were 
beaten  to  such  an  extent  that  their  flesh  hung  in  pieces  upon 
them ;  and  these  atrocities  were  perpetrated  in  order  to  induce 
them  to  confess  that  they  used  blood  in  making  the  Passover 
cakes.  They  replied  that,  if  such  had  been  the  case,  many 
Jewish  proselytes  would  have  published  the  fact.  This,  however, 
was  not  sufficient. 

"  After  this,  the  same  Governor  went  to  the  boy's  college  ; 
he  had  the  boys  carried  to  prison,  bound  them  with  chains,  and 
forbade  the  mothers  to  visit  their  imprisoned  children,  to  whom 
only  ten  drachms  of  bread  and  a  cup  of  water  per  day  were 
allowed,  the  Governor  expecting  that  the  fathers,  for  the  sake  of 
liberating  their  children,  would  confess  the  truth  of  the  matter. 

"  Subsequently  a  Jew,  who  was  still  at  liberty,  presented 
himself  before  the  Governor,  stating  that  the  calumny  of  our 
using  blood  for  our  Passover  cakes  had  been  discussed  before  all 
the  Powers,  who,  after  consulting  their  divines,  had  declared  the 
falsehood  of  the  charge ;  and  he  added  that  either  others  had 
killed  the  priest  and  his  servant,  or  they  had  clandestinely 
absented  themselves  from  the  country,  and  that  the  barber,  in 
order  to  save  himself  from  persecution,  had  stated  that  which 
was  not  true. 

"Upon  this  the  Governor  replied  that,  as  he  had  accused 
other  persons  of  killing  them,  he  must  know  who  the  murderers 
were;  and  in  order  that  he  should  confess,  he  was  beaten  to 
such  an  extent  that  he  expired  under  the  blows. 

"  After  this,  the  Governor,  with  a  body  of  six  hundred  men, 
proceeded  to  demolish  the  houses  of  his  Jewish  subjects,  hoping 
to  find  the  bodies  of  the  dead,  but  not  finding  anything,  he 
returned,  and  again  inflicted  on  his  victims  further  castigations 
and  torments,  some  of  them  too  cruel  and  disgusting  to  be 
I.  O 


2io       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte fiore. 

described.  At  last,  being  incapable  of  bearing  further  anguish, 
they  said  that  the  charge  was  true  ! ! ! 

"  The  Governor,  hearing  this  statement,  asked  them  where 
they  had  secreted  the  blood  of  the  murdered  men,  to  which  one 
of  them  replied,  that  it  had  been  put  into  a  bottle,  and  delivered 
to  Moses  Abulafia,  who,  however,  declared  he  knew  nothing  of 
it.  In  order  to  make  him  confess  he  received  a  thousand  stripes, 
but  this  infliction  not  extorting  any  confession  from  him,  he 
was  subjected  to  other  insupportable  tortures,  which  at  length 
compelled  him  to  declare  that  the  bottle  was  at  home  in  a  chest 
of  drawers.  Upon  this  the  Governor  ordered  him  to  be  carried 
on  the  shoulders  of  four  men  (for  he  could  not  walk),  that  he 
might  open  the  bureau.  This  was  opened,  but  nothing  was 
found  in  it,  except  a  quantity  of  money  which  the  Governor 
seized,  asking  at  the  same  time  where  the  blood  was.  Where- 
upon Abulafia  replied  that  he  made  the  statement  in  order  that 
the  Governor  should  see  the  money  in  the  bureau,  trusting  by 
this  means  to  escape.  Upon  this  the  tortures  were  again  re- 
peated, and  Abulafia,  to  save  himself,  embraced  the  Moham- 
medan religion. 

"  In  this  manner  they  treated  all  the  prisoners  who  have 
been  for  one  month  in  this  misery.  In  Beyrout  and  in  Damas- 
cus the  Jews  are  not  permitted  to  go  out. 

"After  this  an  individual  came  forward,  and  stated  that  by 
means  of  astrology  he  had  discovered  and  ascertained  that  the 
seven  individuals  above  named  assassinated  the  priest,  and  that 
the  servant  was  killed  by  Raphael  Farkhi,  Nathan  and  Aaron 
Levy,  Mordecai  Farkhi,  and  Asher  of  Lisbon.  The  two  first 
were  immediately  arrested,  the  others,  it  appears,  sought  safety 
in  flight 

"  You  will  judge  from  this — the  Elders  of  Damascus  say — 
what  sort  of  justice  is  administered  by  means  of  astrology,  and 
how  such  justice  is  exercised.  And  there  is  no  one  who  is 
moved  to  compassion  in  favour  of  the  unfortunate  victims. 
Even  Bekhor  Negri,  the  Governor's  banker,  unable  to  bear  these 
afflictions,  became  a  Mussulman. 

"  Read  this,  dearest  friends,— they  continue, — to  Messrs 
Camondo,  Hatteni,  and  Carmona,  in  order  that  they  may  co- 
operate for  the  safety  of  our  unfortunate  and  calumniated 
brethren,  with  such  persons  as  they  may  deem  most  fitting. 


An  Old  Calumny  revived.  211 

"  The  Jews  of  Rhodes  describe  their  state  of  misery  to  the 
elders  of  the  congregation  in  Constantinople  in  the  following 
statement : — 

"A  Greek  boy,  about  ten  years  old,  son  of  an  inhabitant  of 
the  country,  is  said  to  have  been  lost,  and  the  Christians  have 
calumniated  us  by  saying  that  we  have  killed  him.  All  the 
European  Consuls  came  forward  to  demand  an  elucidation  of 
the  affair.  They  went  in  a  body,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Austrian  Consul,  to  the  Pasha,  and  requested  that  he  would 
entrust  to  them  the  conduct  of  the  business,  which  request  the 
Pasha  granted.  They  then  summoned  before  them  two  Greek 
women  who  dwelt  near  the  city,  who  stated  that  on  Tuesday 
some  Jews  were  passing  from  the  villages  to  the  city,  and  that 
one  of  them  had  a  Greek  boy  with  him.  The  Consuls  immedi- 
ately cited  the  Jew  to  appear  before  them,  and  questioned  him 
on  the  subject.  He  replied,  that  he  could  prove  that  during 
the  whole  of  Tuesday  he  was  in  the  village,  and  did  not  come 
into  the  city  until  Wednesday.  He  added,  moreover,  that  even 
if  this  boy  did  enter  the  city  by  that  road,  and  at  the  time  the 
Jews  were  going  into  it,  it  ought  not  therefore  to  be  believed 
that  the  Jews  had  killed  him,  as  the  road  was  the  chief  and 
public  thoroughfare  through  which  any  one  might  pass. 

"  These  reasons  were  not  admitted  by  the  Consuls,  and  the 
unfortunate  Jew  was  immediately  put  in  irons,  and  tortured  in 
a  manner  never  yet  seen  or  heard  of.  Having  been  loaded 
with  chains,  many  stripes  were  inflicted  on  him,  red  hot  wires 
were  run  through  his  nose,  burning  bones  applied  to  his  head, 
and  a  heavy  stone  was  laid  upon  his  breast,  so  that  he  was 
reduced  to  the  point  of  death  ;  all  this  time  his  tormentors  were 
accusing  him,  saying,  'You  have  stolen  the  Greek  boy,  to 
deliver  him  up  to  the  Rabbi — confess  at  once,  if  you  wish  to 
save  yourself.' 

"  Their  object  was  to  calumniate  our  Rabbi,  and  to  take 
vengeance  on  all  the  community ;  and  they  stated  openly  that 
this  was  done  for  the  purpose  of  exterminating  the  Jews  in 
Rhodes,  or  to  compel  them  to  change  their  religion,  so  that 
they  might  be  able  to  boast  in  Europe  of  having  converted  an 
entire  community. 

"  Meanwhile  the  poor  Jew  cried  out  in  the  midst  of  these 
torments,  praying  for  death  as  a  relief,  to  which  they  replied, 


2 1 2       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

that  he  must  confess  to  whom  he  had  given  the  boy,  and  then  he 
should  be  immediately  set  at  liberty.  The  poor  Jew,  oppressed 
by  tortures  beyond  endurance,  resorted  to  falsehood  in  order  to 
save  himself.  He  calumniated  first  one  and  then  another,  but 
many  whom  he  accused  had  been  absent  from  the  town  some 
time,  which  clearly  proved  that  his  assertions  had  no  other 
object  than  to  free  himself  from  these  tortures.  Nevertheless 
all  those  who  could  be  found  were  immediately  imprisoned,  and 
subjected  to  insupportable  torments,  to  extort  from  them  the 
confession  that  they  had  delivered  the  boy  to  the  Chief  Rabbi, 
or  to  the  elders  of  the  community,  and  night  and  day  they  were 
tormented,  because  they  would  not  accuse  innocent  persons. 
Meanwhile,  goaded  by  continual  tortures,  these  poor  creatures 
cried  out  and  prayed  that  they  might  be  killed  rather  than  be 
subjected  to  the  endurance  of  such  anguish  ;  especially  seven  of 
them,  who  anxiously  courted  death,  and  indeed  were  all  but 
dead  in  consequence  of  these  tortures.  To  increase  the  misery, 
the  Jewish  quarter  was  closed  and  surrounded  by  guards,  in 
order  that  none  might  go  out,  or  learn  what  had  happened  to 
their  unfortunate  brethren. 

"  You  must  know — they  say — that  during  the  day  at  such 
times  as  there  is  no  one  in  the  Jewish  quarter,  the  Christians 
are  going  about  endeavouring  clandestinely  to  leave  the  dead 
body  of  a  Turk  or  Christian  in  the  court  of  some  Jewish  house, 
for  the  purpose  of  having  the  individual  brought  before  the 
Governor,  in  order  to  give  a  colouring  to  their  calumny.  Such 
is  the  misery  that  weighs  upon  our  hearts  and  blinds  our  eyes. 
We  have  even  been  refused  the  favour  of  presenting  a  petition 
to  the  Pasha  of  the  city. 

"  After  three  days  spent  in  this  wretchedness,  they  refused 
even  to  supply  us  with  bread  in  our  quarter,  for  our  families 
shut  up  with  us;  but  by  dint  of  entreaty  we  have  obtained,  as 
a  favour,  the  supply  at  high  prices  of  salt  fish  and  black  bread. 

"From  what  we  can  gather  from  the  Europeans  who  are 
about  the  Pasha,  he  acts  in  concert  with  the  Consuls,  as  he  has 
done  from  the  beginning.  We  except  the  Austrian  Consul,  who 
at  first  endeavoured  to  protect  us,  but  who  was  at  length  com- 
pelled to  join  with  the  multitude." 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 
1840. 

INDIGNATION  MEETINGS  IN  LONDON — M.  CREMIEUX — LORD 
PALMERSTON'S  ACTION — SIR  MOSES  STARTS  ON  A  MISSION 
TO  THE  EAST — ORIGIN  OF  THE  PASSOVER  CAKE  SUPER- 
STITION. 

THESE  communications,  together  with  all  the  letters  which 
had  been  addressed  to  Sir  Moses  on  the  same  subject, 
were  submitted  to  the  consideration  of  the  Board  of  Deputies 
and  others  at  a  meeting  held  at  Grosvenor  Gate,  Park  Lane,  the 
residence  of  Sir  Moses. 

There  were  present — Mr  Joseph  Gutteres  Henriques,  Pre- 
sident ;  Baron  de  Rothschild,  Sir  Moses  Montefiore,  Messrs 
Moses  Mocatta,  I.  L.  Goldsmid,  Jacob  Montefiore,  Isaac  Cohen, 
Henry  H.  Cohen,  Samuel  Bensusan,  Dr  Loewe,  Messrs  Louis 
Lucas,  A.  A.  Goldsmid,  Louis  Cohen,  H.  de  Castro,  Haim 
Guedalla,  Simon  Samuel,  Joel  Davis,  David  Salamons,  Abraham 
Levy,  Jonas  Levy,  Laurence  Myers,  Solomon  Cohen,  Barnard 
van  Oven,  M.D.,  S.  J  Waley,  and  F.  H.  Goldsmid. 

The  following  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted  : — 

"  That  this  meeting  has  learned  with  extreme  concern  and 
disgust  that  there  have  been  lately  revived  in  the  East  those 
false  and  atrocious  charges,  so  frequently  brought  against  the 
Jews  during  the  middle  ages,  of  committing  murders  in  order  to 
use  the  blood  of  the  murdered  as  an  ingredient  in  the  food 
during  the  religious  ceremony  of  Passover,  charges  which,  in 
those  times,  repeatedly  served  as  a  pretext  for -the  robbery  and 
massacre  of  persons  of  the  Jewish  faith,  but  which  have  long 
disappeared  from  this  part  of  the  world,  with  the  fierce  and 
furious  prejudices  that  gave  them  birth. 

"  That  this  meeting  is  anxious  to  express  its  horror  at  finding 
that,  on  the  ground  of  these  abominable  calumnies,  numbers  of 
Jews  have  been  seized  at  Damascus  and  at  Rhodes  ;  that  many 
children  have  been  imprisoned,  and  almost  totally  deprived  of 


214       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

food  ;  that  of  the  adults  seized,  several  have  been  tortured  till 
they  died,  and  others  have  been  sentenced  to  death,  and,  it  is 
believed,  executed,  although  the  only  evidence  of  their  guilt 
was  the  pretended  confessions  wrung  by  torture  from  their 
alleged  accomplices. 

"That  th's  meeting  earnestly  request  the  Governments  of 
England,  France,  and  Austria  to  remonstrate  with  those  Govern- 
ments under  which  these  atrocities  have  taken  place,  against 
their  continuance. 

"That  this  meeting  confidently  relies  on  the  sympathy  and 
humanity  of  the  British  nation  to  exert  its  influence  and 
authority  to  stay  such  abominable  proceedings,  and  that  the 
President,  Joseph  Gutteres  Henriques,  Esq.;  The  Baron  de 
Rothschild,  Sir  Moses  Montefiore,  and  Messrs  I.  L.  Goldsmid, 
Jacob  Montefiore,  David  Salamons,  A.  A.  Goldsmid,  and  F.  H. 
Goldsmid  do  form  a  deputation  to  request  a  conference  on  the 
subject  with  Her  Majesty's  Secretary  of  State  for  Foreign  Affairs. 

"That  these  resolutions  be  advertised  in  the  newspapers." 

A  letter  was  read  from  the  Rev.  Dr  Hirschel,  Chief  Rabbi, 
expressive  of  his  regret  that  his  infirmities  prevented  his  attend- 
ance at'the  meeting,  and  declaring  his  concern  at  the  revival  of 
such  false  and  calumnious  assertions,  and  his  horror  at  such 
atrocious  cruelties. 

The  meeting  was  attended  by  Monsieur  Cremieux,  Vice- 
President  of  the  Consistoire  Central  des  Israelites  Fran$ais,  who 
addressed  the  meeting,  expressing  his  concurrence  and  sympathy 
in  its  proceedings. 

On  April  3Oth  the  Committee  proceeded  to  Downing  Street, 
and  were  most  kindly  received  by  Lord  Palmerston.  He  pro- 
mised to  use  his  influence  with  Mohhammad  Ali  and  the  Turkish 
Government  to  put  a  stop  to  such  atrocities.  Sir  Moses  men- 
tioned on  this  occasion,  when  Lord  Palmerston  was  speaking  of 
his  visit  to  Palestine,  Mr  Young's  humanity  at  Jerusalem,  and 
also  the  fact  that  the  Jews  were  desirous  of  being  employed  in 
agricultural  pursuits. 

On  June  I5th  at  a  meeting  of  the  Deputies  and  Representa- 
tives of  all  the  Synagogues,  including  the  Rev.  Dr  Hirschel,  Rev. 
D.  Meldola,  Monsieur  Cremieux,  and  Rev.  D.  Bibas,  Sir  Moses 
was  requested  to  proceed,  with  Monsieur  Cremieux,  to  Alex- 
andria and  Damascus,  to  which  request  he  acceded. 


Indignation  Meetings  in  London.  215 

On  June  23rd  he  attended  a  meeting  at  the  Great  Synagogue, 
where  the  resolutions  adopted  at  the  previous  meeting  (June 
1 5th)  were  confirmed,  and  he  declared  his  readiness  to  go. 

On  the  24th  of  June  he  went  with  Baron  Lionel  de  Roths- 
child to  the  Foreign  Office.  Lord  Palmerston  was  most  friendly, 
and  read  to  them  the  despatches  to  Colonel  Hodges  and  Lord 
Ponsonby.  That  to  Colonel  Hodges  was  most  strongly  worded, 
calling  on  him  to  address  Mohhammad  Ali  in  writing  to  urge 
him  to  compensate  the  sufferers,  and  remove  those  officers  who 
had  misconducted  themselves  in  Damascus.  Lord  Palmer- 
ston further  said  he  would  give  Sir  Moses  letters  to  Colonel 
Hodges,  telling  him  to  afford  him  every  protection  and  assist- 
ance, and  desiring  him  to  apply  to  Mohhammad  Ali  to  give  him 
(Sir  Moses)  every  facility  for  the  investigation  of  the  affair.  His 
Lordship  also  added  that  he  would  give  him  any  other  letters  he 
might  require. 

On  Friday,  July  3rd,  there  was  a  crowded  and  enthusiastic 
meeting  in  the  Egyptian  Hall  at  the  Mansion  House,  of  bankers, 
merchants,  and  many  influential  and  learned  British  Christians, 
for  the  purpose  of  expressing  their  sympathy  with  the  Israelites, 
and  their  earnest  wishes  for  the  success  of  Sir  Moses  Montefiore 
previous  to  his  starting  on  the  mission  to  the  East.  Mr  Alder- 
man Thompson  took  the  chair.  The  principal  speakers  were 
the  Lord  Mayor,  Sir  Chapman  Marshall,  J.  Abel  Smith,  John 
Masterman,  S.  Gurney,  Sir  Charles  Forbes,  Dr  Bowring,  Daniel 
O'Connell,  and  the  Hon.  and  Rev.  Noel.  The  result  of  the 
meeting  was  highly  satisfactory. 

In  the  interval  between  these  meetings  Sir  Moses  attended 
the  Queen's  Drawing-Room,  and  was  most  graciously  addressed 
there  by  Prince  George  of  Cambridge,  who  said  he  was  glad 
to  see  him,  and  reminded  him  of  his  having  met  him  at  Malta. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Deputies  on  the  26th  Sir 
Moses  was  unanimously  elected  their  president,  on  the  resigna- 
tion of  Mr  J.  H.  Henriques.  He  attended  the  annual  festival 
dinner  of  the  Jews'  Hospital,  when  the  Duke  of  Sussex  presided. 
On  the  nth  of  June  he  went  to  the  Merchant  Taylors'  Hall  to 
meet  the  Duke  of  Cambridge  and  Prince  George,  the  latter  being 
made  an  honorary  member  of  the  Company.  Taking  special 
interest  in  the  abolition  of  slavery,  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte- 
fiore both  attended  the  grand  meeting  of  the  Society  for  the 


2 1 6       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montcfiore. 

Abolition  of  the  Slave  Trade,  when  Prince  Albert  took  the  chair 
and  addressed  the  company.  On  June  i$th  he  was  present  at  a 
meeting  of  the  Board  of  Deputies  of  the  British  Jews,  and  agreed 
to  the  addresses  of  congratulation  prepared  by  the  Hon.  Secre- 
tary, to  be  sent  to  Her  Majesty,  Prince  Albert,  and  the  Duchess 
of  Kent,  on  the  occasion  of  the  escape  of  the  Queen  from  the 
attempt  made  on  her  life  in  the  Park  on  the  loth  of  June.  The 
address  to  Her  Majesty  was  subsequently  presented  by  him,  as 
President  of  the  Board  of  Deputies,  accompanied  by  four  other 
gentlemen,  at  St  James'  Palace  ;  and  Sir  Moses  was  then  pre- 
sented to  the  Queen  by  the  Duke  of  Norfolk,  on  his  going  to 
the  East.  The  next  day  Sir  Moses  and  the  same  four  gentlemen 
presented  the  address  to  the  Duchess  of  Kent,  who  received 
them  most  amiably,  and  enquired  particularly  after  Sir  Moses' 
health.  He  then  proceeded  with  them  to  Buckingham  Palace, 
and  presented  the  address  to  Prince  Albert,  who  also  received 
them  very  graciously. 

Sir  Moses,  as  the  representative  of  the  Jews  in  the  British 
Empire,  now  commenced  making  his  arrangements  for  the  de- 
parture of  the  Mission,  and  Monsieur  Cremieux,  as  representative 
of  the  Jews  in  France,  took  similar  steps. 

Sir  Moses  selected  for  his  companions  Mr  D.  W.  Wire  (his 
former  under-Sheriff  and  afterwards  Lord  Mayor  of  London),  Dr 
Madden,  a  distinguished  author  and  well-known  traveller  in  the 
East,  and  myself. 

Monsieur  Cremieux  er.0aged  as  his  companion  Monsieur 
Solomon  Munk,  a  distinguished  savant  of  Paris. 

Before  I  proceed  to  give  the  account  of  the  present  mission, 
as  taken  from  the  entries  in  Sir  Moses'  diary  and  from  my  own 
personal  observation,  I  deem  it  necessary  to  direct  the  attention 
of  the  reader  to  the  origin  of  accusations  similar  to  those  made 
at  Damascus,  which  were  brought  against  the  Jews  in  former 
times ;  and  to  point  out  the  reason  why,  even  to  this  day,  they 
are  not  without  effect  in  some  of  the  most  enlightened  countries. 

Tertullianus  (J.  Septimus  Florens),  one  of  the  Fathers  of  the 
Church,  who  lived  in  the  second  century,  complains  in  his  work 
entitled  "  Apologet  advers.  gentes  "  (chap.  8),  of  the  adherents 
to  the  religion  to  which  he  himself  belonged  being  accused  of 
sacrificing  and  eating  children.  Upon  which,  Pamelius,  in  his 
commentary  on  the  same  chapter  (which  he  dedicated  to 


Bull  q/  Pope  Innocent  IV.  217 

Philip  II.  and  Pope  Gregory  VIII.),  observes,  that  the  accu- 
sation has  its  origin  in  the  misunderstanding  of  the  sense 
of  all  those  passages  in  the  New  Testament  which  refer  to 
the  Agapes.  These  verses  have  been  taken  by  the  uninitiated 
in  their  literal  sense. 

The  heathens  at  that  time  asserted  that  the  Christians  used 
human  blood  at  their  Passover.  Thus  we  find  the  origin  of  that 

o 

horrible  accusation  in  the  first  three  centuries  of  the  Christian 
•era  ;  not  until  the  thirteenth  century  was  it  brought  against  the 
Jews,  viz.,  in  the  year  1235  in  Fulda,  1250  in  Spain,  1264  in 
London,  1283  in  Bachrach,  Moravia,  1285  in  Munich. 

If  these  charges  were  true,  it  might  be  asked,  how  is  it  that 
the  Jews,  who  celebrated  the  Passover  festival  fifteen  hundred 
years  before  the  Christian  era,  had  never  been  accused  of  such  a 
crime  before  ?  The  answer  to  this  question  is  to  be  found  in  the 
history  of  the  thirteenth  century. 

It  was  in  this  century,  when  fanaticism  and  hatred  of  race 
prevailed,  and  when  persecutions  for  witchcraft  and  the  burning 
of  heretics  and  sorcerers  were  of  frequent  occurrence,  that  it 
appeared,  opportune  to  bring  against  the  Jews  the  same  accusa- 
tion which  had  been  formerly  brought  against  the  ancestors  of 
their  accusers,  viz.,  the  using  of  Christian  blood  for  the  Passover." 
The  wealth  of  the  Jews  in  several  parts  of  Europe,  as  well  as  the 
high  position  to  which  they  were  raised  in  Spain  by  the  rulers 
of  the  land,  had  aroused  the  jealousy  of  their  adversaries.  The 
unfounded  nature  of  the  accusation  against  them  was  so  palpable 
that  the  heads  of  the  Church  deemed  it  necessary  to  defend  and 
protect  them.  Thus  Pope  Innocent  IV.  published  a  Bull  on  the 
5th  of  July  1247,  addressed  to  the  heads  of  the  Church  in  France 
and  Germany,  officially  refuting  the  demoniacal  accusation  (S. 
Baronitas  Annales  eccles.  ad  annum  1247,  No.  84).  I  give  here 
a  translation  of  it  in  order  to  afford  the  reader  the  opportunity 
of  acquainting  himself  with  the  contents  of  that  important 
document : — 

"LYONS,  yd  July  1248. 

"  Pope  Innocent,  the  servant  of  the  servants  of  God,  sends 
his  apostolic  greeting  and  blessing  to  the  right  reverend  Fathers, 
Bishops,  and  Archbishops  in  Germany. 

"  We  have  received  from  Germany  the  sad  news  that  in  your 


2 1 8       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte/lore. 

towns  and  dioceses  there  is  a  wish  to  despoil  the  Jews,  in  an 
illegal  manner,  of  their  property,  and  that,  for  this  purpose, 
malicious  counsels  and  different  false  accusations  are  brought 
against  them.  Without  considering  that  they  were,  in  a  certain 
way,  entrusted  with  the  care  of  the  Christian  faith ;  that  the 
command  of  Holy  Scripture,  'Thou  shalt  not  commit  murder,' 
was  given  to  them ;  and  that,  by  their  law,  they  are  forbidden 
to  touch  corpses  on  the  Passover,  they  are  accused  of  eating  in 
company  the  heart  of  a  murdered  child,  and  if  the  dead  body  of 
any  human  being  is  found,  they  are  believed  to  be  the  murderers, 
although  such  practices  are  in  direct  contradiction  to  their  laws. 
By  such  false  accusations  they  are  oppressed,  and  deprived  of  all 
their  goods,  although  they  have  never  been  brought  before  any 
judge  and  found  guilty,  in  spite  of  the  privileges  graciously 
granted  them  by  the  Apostolic  Chair.  This  is  against  all 
human  and  divine  law,  and  brings  these  said  Jews  into  a  worse 
condition  than  that  of  their  forefathers  under  the  Pharaohs  of 
Egypt,  and  forces  them,  in  their  misery,  to  leave  the  places 
where  their  fathers  had  been  settled  from  time  immemorial. 
In  their  fear  of  being  exterminated  entirely,  they  have  sought 
the  protection  of  the  Apostolic  Chair,  and  we  hereby  forbid 
every  unjust  oppression  of  the  said  Jews,  whose  conversion  we 
trust  to  the  mercy  of  God,  according  to  the  promise  of  the 
Prophet,  that  those  of  them  who  remain  shall  be  saved  ;  and 
we  commend  them  to  you,  our  brethren,  through  this  Apostolic 
letter,  that  you  may  show  favour  to  them,  and  help  them  to 
their  right,  when  they  have  been  unjustly  imprisoned  ;  and  that 
you  in  no  case  permit  them  to  be  oppressed  for  the  said  or 
similar  causes.  Those  who  are  guilty  of  molesting  them  in  this 
way  are  to  be  punished  by  doing  penance  in  the  Church,  without 
regard  to  their  station. 

"  Given  at  Lyons,  on  the  3rd  of  July,  in  the  fifth  year  of  our 
Pontificate." 

In  1275  the  Emperor  Rudolf  of  Hapsburgh  confirmed  this 
Bull,  in  a  decree,  sealed  with  his  great  seal,  which  is  still  to  be 
seen  in  the  Archives  of  the  Town  of  Cologne.  The  title  of  this 
decree  is,  "  I,  Rudolphus,  Rex  Rom.,  do  hereby  confirm  the 
privileges  granted  to  the  Jews  by  Popes  Gregory  and  Inno- 
cent, and  declare  to  be  untrue,  that  which  some  Christians  say, 


Bull  of  Pope  Gregory.  219 

that  they  do  eat  the  heart  of  a  dead  child  on  the  day  of  their 
Passover." 

The  contents  of  this  decree  are  a  literal  translation  of  the 
Bull  given  above.  Another  Bull  issued  by  Gregory,  says, 
amongst  other  things : — 

"Gregory,  &c.  .  .  .  Following  the  example  set  us  by  our 
predecessors  of  blessed  memory,  Calixt,  Cugen,  Alexander, 
Colostin,  Honorius,  and  Gregory,  we  agree  to  the  prayer  of 
the  Jews,  and  will  hold  the  shield  of  our  protection  over  them. 
We  also  strictly  forbid,  that  any  Christian  force  them,  against 
their  will,  to  be  baptised,  as  only  those  can  be  considered  as 
Christians  who,  from  their  own  free  will,  accept  Daptism.  Nor 
shall  any  Christian  dare,  without  a  judgment  from  us,  to  wound 
or  to  kill  them,  to  deprive  them  of  their  money,  or  in  any  way 
to  molest  them  in  the  privileges  granted  to  them  in  the  places 
where  they  live." 

The  Emperor  concludes  his  decree  with  the  following  words  : 
"  We  confirm  and  permit,  in  our  Royal  mercy,  by  this  act  to  the 
said  Jews,  all  and  everything  which  was  granted  and  given  to 
them  by  the  Roman  Popes,  so  that  they  may  live  securely  under 
the  shadow  of  our  protection,  and  that  they  shall  not  be  con- 
demned, in  any  case  whatever,  unless  properly  judged  and 
found  guilty  by  the  righteous  testimony  of  Jews  and  Christians. 

Considering  that  M.  Achille  Laurent  has  published  a  book, 
in  which  he  presumes  to  give  what  he  calls  a  "  Procedure  com- 
plete dirigee  en  1840  centre  des  Juifs  de  Damas," — a  book 
which  is  replete  with  outbursts  of  hatred  against  the  Jews, 
and  has,  since  its  publication,  unfortunately  served  almost  as 
a  text-book  in  the  hands  of  their  adversaries, — I  think  it  desir- 
able, in  addition  to  the  declaration  of  the  Pope  given  above, 
to  introduce  to  the  reader  the  names  of  some  eminent  Christian 
scholars,  who  have  but  recently  (since  the  accusations  of  Kohling 
and  Geza  roused  the  attention  of  the  public)  expressed  their 
opinion  in  the  works  they  have  published  ;  some  of  which  were 
written  by  the  special  order  of  the  Courts  of  Law  in  Austria, 
and  the  Universities  of  Amsterdam,  Leyden,  Utrecht,  and 
Copenhagen. 

The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Dr  Kopp,  of  Fulda  ;  the  Right  Rev. 
Dr  J.  H.  Reinkens,  in  Bonn  ;  Professor  Dr  Franz  Delitzsch ; 
Prolessor  Dr  A.  Dillman  :  Proiessor  Dr  G.  Ebers ;  Professor 


22O       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montejiore. 

Dr  H.  L.  Fleischer,  in  Leipzig ;  Professor  Dr  H.  Kalkar, 
in  Copenhagen  ;  Professor  Dr  Paul  de  Lagarde,  in  Gottingen  ; 
Professor  Dr  Merx,  in  Heidelberg;  Dr  Alois  Muller,  in  Vienna; 
Professor  Dr  Th.  Noldecke,  in  Straszburg  ;  Professor  Dr  Riehm, 
Professor  Dr  Carl  Siegfried  of  Vienna,  Professor  Dr  B.  Stade  of 
Gieszen,  Professor  Dr  Sommer  of  Konigsberg,  Professor  Dr 
Strack  of  Berlin,  and  Dr  August  Wunsche  of  Dresden. 

A  book  entitled,  "  Christliche  Zeugnisse  gegen  die  Blut- 
beschuldigung  der  Juden,"  published  by  Walther  and  Apolant, 
Berlin,  1882,  gives  a  compilation  of  all  the  statements  on  the 
subject  made  by  these  authors,  all  proving  the  accusation  to  be 
a  calumny. 

To  take  possession  of  the  wealth  accumulated  by  the  indus- 
trious and  sober  habits  of  the  Jews,  and  to  deprive  them  of  the 
important  positions  which  they  had,  by  their  uprightness  and 
ability,  obtained,  was  the  object  their  adversaries  had  in  view 
in  raising  this  accusation  in  the  thirteenth  century,  and  the  same 
object  can  be  traced  in  the  persecutions  which,  in  the  present 
century,  in  some  parts  of  the  world,  continue  to  affect  individuals, 
and  sometimes  even  whole  communities. 

July  jth. — We  proceeded  to  the  London  Bridge  Wharf,  where 
we  were  met  by  the  members  of  the  Ecclesiastical  Courts,  both 
of  the  German  and  Portuguese  congregations,  and  many  others 
of  our  brethren.  "  I  should  think,"  Sir  Moses  observes  in  his 
•diary,  "  there  were  more  than  one  hundred  Jews  waiting  to  see 
us  set  off,  all  giving  us  their  blessing,  and  wishing  us  health, 
success,  and  a  safe  return.  May  the  Almighty  hearken  to  their 
prayers,  and  grant  their  petition." 

It  was  blowing  very  hard  when  we  reached  Gravesend,  and 
we  determined  to  land,  which  was  not  effected  without  some 
difficulty  and  inconvenience.  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore 
were  much  fatigued,  having  spent  nearly  the  whole  of  the  pre- 
vious night  in  writing  letters  and  arranging  various  important 
matters  relative  to  the  Mission. 

July  8t/i. — We  went  on  board  the  Arrow  a  little  before  eight, 
and  reached  the  French  coast  before  eleven  o'clock.  The 
weather  being  squally  and  the  sea  rough,  we  and  several  others 
remained  on  board  till  the  vessel  could  enter  the  port.  We 
came  to  anchor,  and  continued  to  roll  about  till  half-past  four, 
when  we  landed  in  safety. 


Meeting  with  the  Rothschild  Family.  221 

Thursday,  July  gtk. — Found  our  carriages  and  servants  all 
well  at  Boulogne,  and  ready  to  receive  us.  Having  taken  some 
refreshment,  we  proceeded  to  Abbeville,  and  travelled  all  night, 
arriving  shortly  after  mid-day  in  Paris. 

During  our  stay  there  we  had  frequent  interviews  with  the 
members  of  the  Rothschild  family,  who  took  a  deep  interest  in 
our  Mission.  A  meeting  of  the  Consistoire  de  France  on  the 
subject  was  held  at  the  house  of  Baron  Anselm  de  Rothschild, 
which  I  attended  together  with  Dr  Loewe  and  Mr  Wire. 
Monsieur  Cre"mieux  made  a  fervent  appeal  to  all  present,  and 
the  result  was  very  satisfactory.  We  left  Paris  on  the  I3th  July, 
together  with  Dr  Madden,  who  had  come  from  London  to  join 
us.  Monsieur  and  Madame  Cremieux  joined  our  party  at 
Avignon,  and  together  we  reached  Marseilles  on  the  2Oth.  The 
Grand  Rabbin,  with  the  principal  members  of  the  community, 
immediately  came  to  welcome  us ;  afterwards  we  went  on  board 
the  Minos  to  inspect  our  cabins. 

Tuesday,  July  $ist. — Repaired  early  in  the  morning  to  the 
Synagogue,  and  prayed  for  the  safety  and  success  of  our  Mission. 
At  4.30  P.M.  we  went  on  board  the  Minos ;  Messrs  Palmer 
and  Taylor,  of  the  Imperial  Continental  Gas  Association,  ac- 
companied us.  Mr  Moore,  the  Queen's  messenger,  and  Mr 
Doyle,  of  the  Chronicle,  were  fellow  passengers.  The  wind  blew 
very  fresh  when  first  we  started,  but  the  evening  was  very  fine. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 
1840. 

ARRIVAL    AT    LEGHORN — ALEXANDRIA — SIR    MOSES'    ADDRESS 
TO  THE  PASHA — ACTION  OF  THE  GRAND  VIZIR. 

/UL  Y  2$rd. — Landed  at  Leghorn,  and  went  at  once  to  the 
Hotel  du  Globe.  Many  visitors  called.  A  deputation  from 
the  Synagogue  came,  and  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore 
asked  to  have  the  evening  prayers  read  in  the  presence  of  all 
their  brethren.  They  accordingly  gave  notice  to  the  members 
of  the  community,  who  assembled  in  great  numbers.  Before  the 
service  commenced  we  all  joined  them.  Subsequently  the 
Ecclesiastical  Chief  opened  the  Holy  Ark,  and  offered  up  a 
special  prayer  for  the  Mission.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  service 
we  returned  to  our  ship,  accompanied  by  the  representatives  of 
the  community,  and  at  four  o'clock  we  left  the  harbour. 

July  lAjh. — At  ten  we  dropped  anchor  at  Civita  Vecchia. 
We  had  been  advised  in  Leghorn  not  to  land  in  the  city,  as 
there  had  been  some  little  movement  against  the  Israelites, 
occasioned  by  the  writings  of  a  priest  called  Meyer,  a  converted 
Jew.  We  were  visited  by  Signer  Scala  and  Signer  Samuel 
Alatri,  a  deputation  from  Rome.  Their  account  was  very  un- 
favourable as  to  the  opinion  of  the  Papal  Government,  and 
murmurs,  not  loud  but  deep,  were  heard  in  Rome.  They 
strongly  recommended  our  going  from  Malta  in  an  English 
steamboat  to  Egypt.  They  related  an  incident  which  had  taken 
place  a  few  days  previously,  and  caused  them  much  uneasiness. 
A  Hebrew  woman  was  delivered  of  a  daughter  by  a  Christian 
midwife,  who  immediately  baptized  the  child,  and  the  authorities 
refused  to  restore  her  to  the  mother.  At  Leghorn,  just  before 
Passover,  a  woman  had  lost  a  child,  and  accused  the  Jews  of 
stealing  it,  but  the  Governor  put  her  in  prison,  saying  she  should 
remain  there  till  the  child  was  found.  This  had  the  desired 
effect,  and  the  child  was  discovered  the  next  day. 

We  left  Civita  Vecchia  at  3  P.M.  and  anchored  the  following 


A  rrival  at  A lexandria.  223 

day  at  8  A.M.  in  the  harbour  of  Naples.  Baron  Charles  de 
Rothschild  and  his  son  came  on  board  to  see  us,  and  to  converse 
with  us  respecting  the  Mission. 

It  was  nine  when  our  captain  and  his  companions  returned, 
and  we  immediately  started. 

July  2-jth. — Entered  the  harbour  of  Malta  at  5  A.M. ;  landed, 
and  went  to  Dunford's  Hotel.  Subsequently  paid  our  respects 
to  the  Governor,  at  the  Palace,  also  to  Sir  Hector  Grey. 

Tuesday,  July  2&f/i. — Rose  at  five.  Went  to  Synagogue. 
Having  left  cards  at  the  Palace  and  called  on  some  friends,  we 
went  on  board  the  Eurotas  at  half-past  eleven. 

The  sea  was  terribly  rough  and  disagreeable.  "  Those  who 
have  the  happiness  of  remaining  at  home,"  said  Sir  Moses,  "  can 
have  no  idea  of  the  miseries  of  the  sea." 

July  2C)tk. — Had  some  heavy  squalls.  While  Lady  Monte- 
fiore  was  sitting  on  deck,  a  lurch  of  the  vessel  threw  her  back- 
wards with  great  force.  Both  she  and  Sir  Moses  were  much 
alarmed.  The  weather  continued  very  rough. 

July  ^ist. — WTere  close  in  with  Falkner's  Island  and  the  Island 
of  Milo  to  the  E.S.E.  ;  every  one  was  delighted  with  the  change 
in  the  weather.  The  appearance  of  the  Islands  was  barren  and 
monotonous.  At  five  o'clock  we  cast  anchor  in  the  bay,  pretty 
close  to  Syra.  The  water  here  is  extremely  blue,  and  so  clear 
that  we  could  see  the  bottom  at  a  depth  of  sixty  feet.  We  had 
made  all  preparations  for  immediately  embarking  on  board  the 
vessel  which  was  to  take  us  to  Alexandria,  but  we  learnt,  to  our 
regret,  that  she  had  not  yet  arrived  from  Athens.  We  were  con- 
sequently compelled  to  remain  on  the  Eurotas. 

August  ist. — At  twelve  left  the  Eurotas  and  went  on  board 
the  Tancrede,  which  had  arrived  in  the  night  from  Athens, 
having  made  the  voyage  in  seven  and  a  half  hours.  We  had 
very  few  passengers  besides  our  own  party, — one  a  brother  of 
Count  Capo  DTstria.  He  had  been  imprisoned  during  eight 
months,  and  was  being  sent  out  of  Greece.  A  boat  with  soldiers 
remained  close  to  the  steamer  till  we  left  Syra. 

August  2nd. — In  sight  of  Candia,  near  Cape  Soloman.  The 
morning  was  fine,  with  a  pleasant  breeze.  Lady  Montefiore  was 
well  and  in  very  good  spirits,  active  and  studious  as  ever. 

Tuesday,  August  ^th.— Dropped  anchor  in  the  harbour  of 
Alexandria  at  a  quarter  to  eight  in  the  morning.  The  harbour 


224       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montejiore. 

was  filled  with  ships  of  war,  Turkish  and  Egyptian.  We 
noticed  particularly  the  Mahmudie,  130  guns,  and  two  vessels  of 
sixty-eight  guns. 

We  immediately  went  on  shore  to  see  the  Ecclesiastical 
Chief  of  the  Hebrew  community,  and  ascertain  from  him  the 
latest  news  from  Damascus. 

Later  Sir  Moses  went  to  Colonel  Hodges,  the  English  Consul 
General,  who  received  him  most  politely.  The  Colonel  said  he 
wished  to  go  over  the  whole  business  with  him.  It  had  assumed, 
he  said,  a  political  character.  Sir  Moses  would  find  Monsieur 
Cochelet,  the  French  Consul,  very  plausible,  but  very  firm ; 
another  Consul,  he  remarked,  had  been  charged  with  taking 
bribes.  Colonel  Hodges  recommended  Sir  Moses  to  keep  clear 
of  all  parties,  and  requested  him  to  call  again  in  two  hours. 
The  Colonel  had  seen,  with  much  satisfaction,  Dr  Hirschel's 
letter  addressed  to  Sir  Moses  previous  to  his  departure  from 
England,  which  had  been  translated  into  the  Arabic,  Turkish, 
Armenian,  and  modern  Greek  languages,  for  distribution  in  the 
East.  He  had  shown  it  to  Mohhammad  Ali. 

At  twelve  Colonel  Hodges  accompanied  Sir  Moses  to  the 
French  Consul,  where  they  met  Mons.  Cremieux.  They  after- 
wards called  on  Mons.  Laurin,  the  Austrian  Consul,  with  whom 
they  saw  the  Prussian  Consul.  They  finally  called  on  the 
Russian  Consul,  who,  however,  happened  to  be  asleep. 

August  $th. — It  was  nearly  two  o'clock  this  morning  before 
we  could  retire,  having  read  over  and  arranged  various  docu- 
ments. We  rose  soon  after  five,  and  at  eight  Colonel  Hodges 
called  to  accompany  us  to  the  Palace.  Sir  Moses  was  dressed 
in  uniform,  and  the  gentlemen  who  went  with  him  wore  either 
their  court  or  official  costume.  Messrs  Cremieux  and  Munk 
did  not  join  us,  as  their  appearance  before  Mohhammad  Ali  on 
that  day  was  not  considered  advisable  by  Monsieur  Cochelet, 
for  reasons  best  known  to  himself.  • 

Sir  Moses,  who  rode  in  the  carriage  with  Colonel  Hodges, 
read  to  him  the  petition  which  he  had  to  present  to  the  Pasha. 
He  said  he  approved  of  it  and  hoped  it  would  be  granted,  but 
did  not  appear  from  his  manner  to  think  it  would.  On  our 
arrival  we  were  immediately  ushered  into  the  hall  of  audience. 
Mohhammad  Ali  was  seated  in  the  same  spot  as  when  last  we 
had  seen  him.  Colonel  Hodges  presented  Sir  Moses,  saying  he 


Sir  Moses  Address  to  the  Pasha.  225 

had  the  pleasure  of  presenting  an  old  acquaintance  of  His  High- 
ness. The  Pasha  greeted  Sir  Moses  very  graciously,  after  which 
we  were  all  introduced.  Colonel  Hodges  then  said  that  Sir 
Moses  desired  to  present  a  petition  to  His  Highness  on  behalf 
of  his  Government,  to  which  the  Pasha  gave  a  most  gracious 
assent. 

Sir  Moses  addressed  His  Highness  as  follows  : — 
"  Your  Highness, — We  have  heard  in  Europe  that  false  ac- 
cusations have  been  brought  against  the  Israelites  of  Damascus, 
who  are  the  subjects  of  your  Highness,  and  that  tortures  and 
fearful  sufferings  have  been  inflicted  upon  them,  in  order  to 
extract  evidence  against  themselves.  As  it  is  well  known  that 
our  religion  not  only  does  ,not  approve  the  crime  of  which  they 
are  accused,  but  strictly  commands  us  to  abhor  the  use  of  blood 
in  every  form,  we  have  been  delegated  by  our  co-religionists  in 
the  whole  of  Europe,  to  implore  your  Highness'  justice  for  our 
brethren.  It  gives  us  the  highest  satisfaction  to  hear  that  your 
Highness,  as  soon  as  informed  of  the  tortures,  gave  orders  to 
suspend  them  immediately.  Being  firmly  convinced  that  your 
Highness,  who  has  already  earned  such  great  renown  in  Europe 
for  bravery  in  war,  wisdom  in  council,  and  tolerance  towards  all 
your  subjects  without  distinction,  will,  with  your  usual  benevol- 
ence, grant  our  request,  we  appear  before  your  Highness.  We 
come,  not  in  anger  nor  with  hatred,  but  solely  with  the  most 
earnest  desire  to  have  the  truth  made  known.  We  therefore 
entreat  your  Highness  to  grant  us  authority  to  go  to  Damascus, 
and  there  to  institute  such  enquiries  as  will  lead  to  satisfactory 
information  on  the  subject  of  this  accusation,  which  has  caused 
consternation  to  the  Jews  of  the  whole  world,  and  untold  suffer- 
ings to  the  Jewish  population  of  Damascus;  that  the  infor- 
mation thus  obtained  may  be  officially  authenticated  by  the 
Governor  of  Damascus  and  put  before  your  Highness. 

"We  further  beg  that*  your  Highness  will  cause  every 
facility, to  be  given  us  for  procuring  evidence,  and  will  grant 
absolute  protection  to  the  members  of  this  Mission,  and  perfect 
security  to  all  who  give  evidence. 

"  We  entreat  your  Highness  to  grant  us  permission  to  see  and 

interrogate  the  accused   as  often  as  may  be  necessary,  and  that 

the    authority   and    p.,  mission,    which    your    Highness  will   be 

pleased    to   grant   us,  may  be,  by  a   firman,  registered  in  the 

I.  P 


226       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte fiore. 

Archives,  and  sent  officially  to  the  Governor  of  Damascus, 
who  shall  cause  its  contents  to  be  proclaimed  in  the  streets  of 
that  town. 

"  In  conclusion,  we  beg  to  be  permitted  to  state  that  the 
eyes  of  all  Europe  are  fixed  on  your  Highness,  and  that  by 
your  granting  our  prayer  the  whole  civilised  world  will  be 
much  gratified.  It  is  well  understood  that  the  Great  Man, 
who  has  already  earned  such  a  glorious  name,  must  love 
justice  dearly.  There  cannot  be  a  greater  homage  rendered  to 
your  Highness"  genius  and  benevolence,  than  this  Mission  sent 
to  you  by  the  Israelites  of  the  whole  world,  to  appeal  for 
justice.  It  is  the  highest  tribute  paid  to  your  genius,  to  your 
love  of  truth,  and  to  your  earnest  desire  to  secure  justice  to 
all  your  subjects,  that  this  Mission  addresses  itself  to  your 
Highness  with  the  greatest  confidence,  and  feels  sure  that  its 
appeal  will  not  have  been  in  vain." 

The  Pasha  had  kept  his  eyes  upon  him  the  whole  time. 
Sir  Moses,  when  he  had  finished,  requested  that  his  interpreter 
might  be  permitted  to  read  it  to  His  Highness  in  Turkish. 
The  Pasha  said  it  was  too  long ;  he  would  have  it  translated, 
and  would  then  read  it  and  give  an  answer.  Sir  Moses  then 
begged  that  the  heads  of  the  petition  might  be  read  to  him  ; 
he  repeated,  "  It  is  long,  it  is  long  ;  shall  be  translated  !  "  Sir 
Moses  then  stated  that  the  petition  referred  to  the  Jews  of 
Damascus,  to  which  the  Pasha  replied,  "  I  know  it." 

Dr  Madden  then  presented  an  address  of  thanks  on  behalf  of 
the  Society  for  the  Abolition  of  Slavery.  The  Pasha  appeared 
pleased  to  be  able  to  turn  the  conversation  from  the  petition, 
and  spoke  at  considerable  length  on  the  subject  of  slavery.  Sir 
Moses  tried,  through  Colonel  Hodges,  to  bring  his  business 
again  to  the  fore.  An  ineffectual  attempt  was  made  several 
times,  when  Colonel  Hodges  said  Sir  Moses  should  leave  it 
to  him.  Before  leaving,  Sir  Moses  told  His  Highness  that 
the  English  people  were  looking  forward  with  great  anxiety  to 
his  answer,  for  which  he  would  wait  on  His  Highness  in  two 
days'  time.  The  Pasha  told  Sir  Moses  to  come,  and  he  should 
have  it,  adding  that  if  it  was  an  affair  of  justice,  and  Sir  Moses 
had  brought  a  French  advocate  with  him  for  that  purpose,  then 
this  could  not  be  permitted.  Upon  which  Colonel  Hodges  in- 
formed the  Pasha  that  Monsieur  Cremieux,  though  an  advocate, 


Action  of  the  Grand  Vizier.  227 

had  come  solely  from  motives  of  humanity,  and  was  himself  a 
Jew.  Sir  Moses,  on  his  return,  remarked  that  nothing  could 
have  been  less  satisfactory  than  this  interview,  very  different 
from  the  two  former  occasions,  when  His  Highness  was  most 
friendly  and  chatty. 

Sir  Moses  now  heard  that  Monsieur  Cochelet,  the  French 
Consul,  had  been  with  His  Highness  for  an  hour  and  a  half  on 
the  previous  night. 

August  6th. — We  had  many  visitors;  the  captains  of  two 
English  war-ships  were  of  the  number,  and  also  Captain  Lyons. 
Sir  Moses,  on  receiving  a  message  from  Colonel  Hodges,  in- 
forming him  that  the  Pasha  was  going  to  the  Delta  early  on 
the  following  morning,  immediately  went  to  the  Consul.  The 
latter  read  to  him  the  letter  he  had  sent  to  the  Pasha  on  the 
subject  of  the  Jews  in  Damascus  ;  it  could  not  have  been 
stronger.  Sir  Moses  determined  upon  going  to  the  Pasha.  It 
was  nearly  nine  when  he  entered  the  Palace.  His  reception  was 
most  affable  and  kind,  very  different  from  that  of  the  previous 
day.  Sir  Moses  said  he  had  heard  that  His  Highness  was  going 
away.  The  Pasha  replied  that  he  would  be  back  on  Friday. 

August  "jth. — Monsieur  Laurin  sent  a  message  to  the  effect 
that  the  Pasha  had  told  him  that  he  would  grant  our  request. 
Colonel  Hodges  called  to  confer  with  Sir  Moses  on  the  subject. 

August  8t/i. — The  Grand  Vizier  directed  a  letter  to  the  Pasha, 
of  which  the  following  is  a  translation  : — 

"  His  Excellency,  the  Ambassador  of  Great  Britain,  to  the 
Sublime  Porte,  stated  in  a  letter  which  he  presented,  that  Sir 
Moses  Montefiore,  Mr  David  William  Wire,  and  Dr  Madden, 
English  subjects  and  distinguished  members  of  society,  also 
Mr  Adolphe  Cremieux  and  Dr  Louis  Loewe,  form  a  distin- 
guished deputation  to  the  East,  for  the  purpose  of  making 
a  thorough  investigation  respecting  the  persecutions  to  which 
the  Jews  have  been  subjected  at  Damascus  and  the  island 
of  Rhodes.  The  above-named  Ambassador  asked  that  the 
members  of  the  Deputation  should  be  treated  with  due  respect, 
and  should  have  every  facility  aftorded  them  for  accomplishing 
their  mission. 

"This  is  the  purpose  of  my  writing  to  your  Highness. 
"  10  Gema-zil-Akhar,  1256. 

"  REOUF." 


228       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

We  attended  divine  service  morning  and  evening,  and 
received  visits  from  the  leading  members  of  the  community. 
Colonel  Hodges  and  Monsieur  Laurin  conferred  a  long  time  with 
us  on  the  subject  of  the  Mission. 

Monday,  August  loth. — Sir  Moses,  Monsieur  Cremieux, 
Monsieur  Munk,  Mr  Wire,  and  I  went  to  Monsieur  Laurin, 
who  read  to  us  all  the  papers  and  despatches  respecting  the 
Damascus  affair.  We  remained  with  him  for  more  than  three 
hours,  making  notes  of  all  that  appeared  likely  to  serve  our 
cause. 

From  the  following  letters  subsequently  addressed  to  Sir 
Moses  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Marshall,  Chaplain  of  H.M.S.  Castor, 
Lieutenant  Shadwell  of  the  same  ship,  and  the  Rev.  Schlientz, 
of  Malta,  all  referring  to  their  visit  to  Damascus  on  the  i6th 
August,  in  the  year  1840,  the  reader  will  be  able  to  gather 
important  information  respecting  the  accused. 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 
1840. 

AUTHENTIC  ACCOUNTS  OF  THE  CIRCUMSTANCES  ATTENDING 
THE  ACCUSATIONS  AGAINST  THE  JEWS— TERRIBLE  SUF- 
FERINGS OF  THE  ACCUSED — EVIDENCE  OF  THEIR  INNO- 
CENCE— WITNESSES  IN  THEIR  FAVOUR  BASTINADOED  TO 
DEATH. 

Copy  of  a  Letter  from  the  Rev.  Joseph  Marshall,  Chaplain  of 
H.M.S.  "  Castor." 

SIR, — In  reference  to  the  enquiries  you  make  concerning 
your  brethren  in  Damascus,  I  have  much  pleasure  in 
informing  you,  that  when  I  visited  that  city  about  the  middle 
of  last  August,  I  took  considerable  pains  in  making  myself 
acquainted  with  the  nature  of  the  charge  preferred  against  them, 
the  evidence  on  which  it  rested,  the  treatment  to  which  they 
were  exposed.  The  result  of  my  enquiries  I  will  briefly  submit 
to  you. 

That  two  men,  the  Padre  Tommaso  and  his  servant,  are 
missing,  is  beyond  dispute.  There  is  not  the  least  reason  to 
believe  that  the  servant  is  murdered  or  dead  ;  there  is  but  little 
evidence  that  the  Padre  has  been  murdered,  and  not  the  slightest 
that  he  was  murdered  by  Jews ;  on  the  contrary,  evidence  a 
priori  is  entirely  in  their  favour,  and  that  extorted  by  torture,  if 
fairly  considered,  is  equally  so.  However,  as  some  others  who 
have  visited  Damascus  have  expressed  a  contrary  opinion,  I 
think  it  necessary  to  state,  in  a  few  words,  some  of  the  grounds 
upon  which  I  establish  mine. 

I  need  not  allude  to  their  ceremonial  and  moral  law ;  both 
are  equally  abhorrent  of  the  act  imputed  to  them  ;  but  perhaps 
they  were  fanatics  influenced  by  an  inward  light  stronger  than 
their  law.  Fanaticism  is  not  usually  found  among  such  men  as 
Soloman  Murad  and  Meyer  Farki,  with  their  compeers,  the 
leading  men  of  a  highly  respectable  and  wealthy  community,  as 


2  3O       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

was  evident  from  the  appearance  of  their  families  even  in  dis- 
tress. Indeed  I  was  answered  by  both  Moslem  and  Franks, 
that  the  higher  order  of  Jews  at  Damascus  were  less  to  be 
remarked  for  enthusiasm  than  coldness  in  religion.  I  have  the 
same  authority  for  believing  that  worldly  competitions  and  com- 
mercial jealousy  made  it  very  improbable  that  they  would  unite 
so  closely  as  the  commission  of  such  a  crime  would  imply. 

What  testimony  is  there  then  to  overcome  these  probabilities? 
Confession  wrung  from  mortal  agony  and  unsupported  by 
circumstantial  evidence.  Their  enemies  do,  to  be  sure,  appeal 
to  certain  circumstances,  such  as  the  identity  of  the  extorted 
confession  itself:  true,  I  believe  it  to  be  so  perfectly  identical 
as  to  lose  all  character  of  independence.  But  there  were  other 
circumstances.  There  were  animal  remains  found  twenty-five 
days  after  the  Friar  had  disappeared,  in  a  running  sewer  in 
1  closer  proximity  to  a  butcher's  stall  than  to  David  Arari's  house. 
There  was  said  also  to  be  the  mark  of  fire  on  the  white  marble 
pavement  of  the  same  gentleman's  court.  I  saw  it  not,  though 
the  stone  was  pointed  out.  This  mark,  which  did  not  exist, 
was  supposed  to  be  caused  by  the  burning  of  the  Padre's 
clothes,  but  there  were  certain  stains  on  a  wall  which  might  be 
blood ;  I  thought  they  might  be  anything  else'  rather.  Again, 
with  the  aforesaid  animal  remains  there  was  found  a  piece  of 
cloth  such  as  might  identify  it  with  part  of  the  Friar's  cap.  Is 
this  circumstance  consistent  with  the  burning  of  his  apparel,  or 
did  they  spare  that  part  only,  which  would  most  easily  lead  to 
detection  ? 

But  there  was  another  circumstance  much  dwelt  on,  viz., 
the  posting  of  a  notice  at  the  barber's  door,  at  too  great  a 
height  for  the  Friar's  stature ;  therefore,  evidently  the  work  of 
a  Jew.  I  can  positively  say,  it  was  at  the  natural  height  for 
such  fixtures,  within  the  reach  of  any  middle-sized  person,  and 
with  the  slightest  trouble  might  be  placed  there  by  anyone. 
But  what  was  the  object  of  the  gigantic  Jew  in  posting  the 
advertisement  at  all  ?  He  had  taken  it,  it  was  supposed,  from 
the  Synagogue  door,  where  it  was  supposed  the  Friar  had  posted 
it.  And  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  all  trace  of  the  Friar 
having  been  in  the  Jews'  quarter,  he  transferred  it  to  the  barber's 
door,  which  was  actually  within  the  Jews'  quarter.  He  might, 
to  be  sure,  have  destroyed  it  and  all  trace  of  the  Padre  at  once ; 


Letter  from  Rev.  Joseph  Marshall.  231 

but  this  would  have  been  an  expedient  too  simple  for  the 
sagacity  of  this  Hebrew,  which  appears  to  have  been  in  an 
inverse  ratio  to  his  bulk. 

The  dulness  of  such  reasoning  defeats  its  malice.  And  this 
is  all  the  evidence  for  the  charge  procured  by  the  bastinadoing 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  persons,  in  several  instances  to 
death.  I  think  its  meagreness  proves  the  negative,  viz.,  that 
the  poor  victims  had  nothing  really  to  confess ;  and  this  in 
addition  to  the  positive  evidence  of  those  who  died  under  the 
torture,  sealing  their  testimony  with  their  blood. 

But  might  not  the  accused  have  brought  forward  positive 
evidence  in  their  favour?  One  person  did  come  forward  to 
prove  that  he  had  seen  the  Friar-  in  another  part  of  the  town 
subsequently  to  the  date  of  the  supposed  murder.  He  was  bas- 
tinadoed to  death — a  consummation  not  likely  to  encourage 
other  witnesses  to  come  forward  ;  and  indeed  the  Jews  assert 
that  Moslems  of  the  first  rank  in  Damascus,  if  they  dared  speak, 
could  have  established  an  alibi  for  them  in  many  cases. 

To  have  anything  like  an  adequate  idea  of  what  these  unfor- 
tunate people  suffered,  after  the  heads  of  their  families  had  been 
thrown  into  prison,  you  must  be  on  the  spot  to  hear,  as  one  of 
themselves  expressed  it,  "  their  hearts  speaking."  Insults  of  all 
kinds  heaped  upon  them  by  the  refuse  of  mankind,  their  houses 
broken  into  and  plundered  with  impunity,  jewels  torn  from  the 
persons  of  their  female  relatives,  young  children  imprisoned  and 
tortured  with  starvation,  the  son  bastinadoed  before  the  mother's 
eyes  to  make  her  betray  her  husband's  place  of  concealment,  the 
most  exorbitant  bribes  demanded  to  permit  the  common  neces- 
saries of  life  to  pass  the  gates  of  the  prison  for  its  bruised  and 
wretched  inhabitants.  These,  sir,  were  some  of  their  sufferings, 
and  of  these  I  had  undoubted  evidence. 

Surely  the  correspondent  of  the  Times,  to  whom  you  allude, 
if  he  had  not  confined  himself  while  in  Damascus  to  Frank 
society,  and  that,  too,  of  a  particular  caste,  would  have  seen  and 
heard  enough  to  make  him  hesitate  before  he  declared  his  belief 
in  the  guilt  of  the  Jews,  the  mildness  of  their  sufferings,  and  the 
mercy  of  their  persecutors  !  Had  he  gone  to  the  house  of  David 
Arari,  he  would  have  learned  that  women  had  been  tortured,  and 
in  vain.  He  might  have  seen  with  his  own  eyes  the  heroic  con- 
duct 01  the  poor  negro  girl,  a  Moslem  and  a  slave,  whom  the 


232       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Moiitefiore. 

torture  could  not  force  to  bear  false  witness  against  the  Jew,  her 
master.  He  might  there  also  have  learned  that  if  Madame 
Arari  had  consented  to  sacrifice  her  daughter's  virtue,  she  might 
have  preserved  her  husband's  person  from  violence,  his  property 
from  plunder,  and  her  people  from  slander.  He  might  have 
ascertained  the  amount  of  sympathy  and  mercy  which  Madame 
Lagnado  received  at  the  hands  of  a  European  functionary,  when 
she  visited  him  on  behalf  of  her  husband,  who  died  under  the 
torture.  Had  he  visited  Signer  Merlato,  the  Austrian  Consul,  a 
man  whom  all  Christendom  must  respect,  he  might  have  satisfied 
his  eyes  respecting  the  barbarity  of  the  torture,  and  that  the 
sufferers  had  not  at  that  time  recovered  from  its  effects.  Long 
after  that  period  I  saw  men  who,  after  the  lapse  of  five  months 
from  the  infliction  of  the  bastinado,  had  their  feet  and  legs 
swelled  to  a  form  as  if  produced  by  elephantiasis.  The  corre- 
spondent of  the  Times,  whose  very  just  description  of  the  state  of 
Syria  and  Palestine  lends  an  undue  importance  to  his  opinion 
on  the  case  of  the  Jews,  would  have  been  persuaded  that  there 
were  cases  in  which  foreign  influence  was  used  with  the  Pasha  to 
encourage  the  application  of  the  torture  when  some  old  men, 
too  feeble  to  survive  for  a  moment  the  infliction  of  the  bastinado, 
were  subjected  a  second  time  to  the  torment  of  sleeplessness, 
under  the  bayonets  of  the  Egyptian  soldiers.  But  it  is  indeed 
too  unreasonable  and  unjust  to  lay  on  the  Pasha  of  Damascus 
the  whole  blame  of  these  proceedings,  unequalled  in  atrocity 
since  the  days  of  the  fourth  Antiochus.  The  guilt  must  be 
equally  shared  by  those  who  delivered  up  an  innocent  people 
into  his  hands  ;  indeed,  their  share  is  greater.  He  may  plead 
that  he  was  obliged  to  do  these  things  by  the  nature  of  his  office. 
The  persecutors  of  the  Jews  cannot  even  shelter  themselves 
under  such  a  plea  as  that.  Indeed,  if  they  be  blameless,  then 
is  the  Spanish  Inquisition  blameless  also ;  the  Auto-da-Fe  being, 
in  the  last  result,  certainly  the  result  of  the  civil  power.  In 
short,  the  charges  and  recommendations  of  the  Jews  against 
their  persecutors  are  of  such  enormity  as  to  make  them,  it  is  to 
be  hoped,  if  they  be  conscious  of  their  innocence,  anxious  that 
the  whole  matter  should  be  sifted  to  the  bottom  by  a  process 
more  rational  than  the  bastinado,  and  before  a  judge  less  sus- 
pected of  foreign  influence  than  Sheriff  Pasha.  Although  I 
trust  you  will  persevere  in  your  meritorious  exertions  for  the 


Letter  from  Lieutenant  Shadwell.  233 

sake  of  humanity  and  truth,  yet,  as  you  ask  my  opinion  as  to 
the  practicability  or  prudence  of  proceeding  at  once  to  Damas- 
cus, I  must  say  that  I  do  not  think  it  advisable.  Though 
Damascus  may  have  submitted  to  the  Sultan,  and  the  Emir 
Beshir  would  be  happy  to  grant  you,  if  necessary,  an  escort 
through  the  mountains,  yet  I  am  afraid  a  short  time  must  elapse 
before  the  people  of  Damascus  can  be  made  aware  of  the  im- 
portant changes  in  their  social  condition,  when  the  Hatti  Sherif 
of  Gulhane  shall  be  no  longer  to  them  a  dead  letter,  when 
violence  shall  no  longer  usurp  the  place  of  justice,  nor  men  en- 
danger their  lives  by  bearing  witness  to  the  truth.  You  will  be 
able  to  return  to  Syria  in  a  few  months  under  better  auspices, 
and  cover  the  slanderers  of  your  people  with  confusion. 

The  example  of  Rhodes  should  give  you  encouragement.  I 
was  there  last  summer  when  the  atrocious  charge  of  the  same 
malignity  which  was  made  against  the  Jews  of  that  place, 
resulted  in  like  violence,  and  which,  if  tried  by  a  similar  process, 
would  have  led  to  the  same  results  as  at  Damascus. 

Justice  was  done  to  them  at  Constantinople,  and  they 
triumphed.  In  the  same  way  will  you  find  the  cloud  clearing 
away  from  Damascus.  Indeed,  there  exists  not  at  present  the 
shadow  of  evidence  against  them,  except  you  so  call  a  most 
unnatural  and  suspicious  identity  of  confession,  to  be  found  in 
all  false  accusations  where  torture  has  been  applied,  such  as  in 
trials  for  witchcraft.  A  remarkable  instance  of  this  you  may 
have  seen  recorded  in  Chambers'  Journal  a  few  months  ago.  It 
happened  in  the  reign  of  James  I.  of  England.  The  accused,  if 
I  rightly  remember,  was  the  "  wise  wife  of  Kent."  In  the  mean- 
time, if  this  testimony  of  mine  can  be  of  any  service  in  com- 
forting your  distressed  people,  I  shall  not  consider  I  have  visited 
Damascus  in  vain. 

Accept,  Sir,  my  best  wishes  and  esteem,  and  believe  me  to  be 
your  very  obedient  servant,  JOSEPH  MARSHALL. 

To  Sir  Moses  Montefiore,  Bart,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 

Copy  of  a  Letter  addressed  to  Sir  Moses  Montefiore  by  Lieutenant 
Shadwell  of  H. M.S.  "Castor." 

H.M.S.  Castor,  MALTA,  December  5//z,  1840. 

SIR,— In  compliance  with  your  request,  I  beg  leave  to  submit 
to  you  some  observations  relative  to  the  affairs  of  the  Jews  at 


234       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

Damascus,  which  I  was  enabled  to  make  in  my  recent  visit  to 
that  city,  and  also  to  lay  before  you  the  general  impression  on 
my  mind  at  that  time,  as  to  the  weight  and  credibility  of  the 
evidence  addressed  in  support  of  the  charges  which  have  been 
advanced  against  them. 

My  visit  to  Damascus  took  place  in  the  early  part  of  the 
month  of  August  of  the  present  year,  my  fellow-travellers  being 
the  Rev.  Mr  Marshall,  Chaplain  of  H.M.S.  Castor,  and  the  Rev. 
Mr  Schlientz,  of  Malta,  and  his  lady. 

On  the  loth  of  August,  soon  after  my  arrival  at  Damascus, 
accompanied  by  Mr  Marshall,  I  went  to  the  Jewish  quarter  of 
that  city,  and  proceeded  in  the  first  instance  to  the  house  of 
David  Arari,  one  of  the  accused  persons,  who  was  then  in  con- 
finement, and  at  whose  house  the  Father  Tommaso  is  said  to 
have  been  murdered.  We  were  shown  into  an  apartment  where 
the  atrocious  deed  is  said  to  have  been  committed.  It  is  a 
small  room  to  the  left  of  the  Divan,  with  windows  in  front 
looking  into  the  interior  court,  and  high  windows  behind  looking 
into  the  street.  The  latter  circumstance  is  important  as  tending 
to  throw  doubts  on  the  credibility  of  the  accusation,  as  it  is 
.scarcely  possible  to  conceive  that  any  person  could  submit 
quietly  to  the  pains  of  death  without  uttering  cries  for  assistance, 
and  that,  if  those  cries  had  been  uttered,  they  should  not  have 
been  heard  in  the  street  outside. 

In  the  corresponding  apartment  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Divan,  we  were  shown  a  stain  of  dirt  upon  the  wall,  which  the 
zeal  of  the  accusers  branded  with  the  imputation  of  being  blood. 
This  room  was  in  a  dismantled  state,  all  the  furniture  having 
been  removed,  and  the  marble  flooring  torn  up  in  order  to 
search  for  bones  or  other  remains  of  the  supposed  crime. 

We  afterwards  visited  the  house  of  Mourad  Farki,  Mayer 
Farki,  and  Solomon  Farki.  The  two'  former,  being  accused  of 
participating  in  the  murder,  were  in  confinement.  We  were 
shown  the  room  where  the  murder  of  Tommaso's  servant  is  said 
to  have  been  perpetrated,  and  saw  the  privy  and  the  sewer  in 
the  street  where  the  remains  of  the  two  are  alleged  to  have  been 
thrown. 

We  also  went  to  the  house  of  Halil  Said  Naivi,  one  of  the 
accusers,  and  saw  that  individual.  He  is  the  Deeper  of  a  low 
grog-shop  of  disreputable  character.  It  must  be  admitted  that 


Letter  from  Lieutenant  Shadwell.  235 

the  nature  of  the  man's  calling  does  not  afford  any  guarantee 
for  the  credibility  of  his  testimony. 

On  the  following  day,  August  11,  we  went  to  visit  the  Latin 
Convent  of  the  Capuchins,  of  which  Father  Tommaso  was  an 
inmate.  In  the  chapel  is  a  tomb  with  an  inscription  to  the 
following  effect : — 

"Qui  reposano  le  ossa  de  Pre.  Tommaso  da  Sardegna 
Missionano  Cappuccino  assassinate  dagli  Ebrei  il 
giorno  5  di  Febrajo  1840." 

I  will  not  be  exactly  certain  whether  the  above  is  a  literal 
copy  of  the  inscription,  having  written  it  down  from  memory 
after  my  return  home,  but  I  can  confidently  state  that  it  is  sub- 
stantially correct,  especially  in  so  far  as  concerns  the  use  of  the 
obnoxious  word  "  assassinate." 

By  this  it  will  be  seen  that  these  enlightened  Capuchins, 
following  the  example  of  popular  credulity,  assume  the  murder 
of  their  colleague  as  a  fact  before  it  has  been  proved  judicially. 

On  the  same  day,  in  company  with  Mr  and  Mrs  Schlientz, 
we  repeated  our  visit  to  the  Jewish  quarter,  and  afterwards, 
having  obtained  permission  from  Sheriff  Pasha  through  the 
British  Consul,  Mr  VVerry,  went  to  the  Seraglio  to  see  the  Jewish 
prisoners. 

Sixteen  individuals  were  implicated  in  the  charge  of  murder; 
of  these,  two  had  died  under  torture,  four  had  absconded.  One, 
Mr  Picchioto,  being,  fortunately  for  himself,  an  Austrian  sub- 
ject, was  under  the  protection  of  the  Imperial  Consulate,  the 
remaining  nine  were  then  in  prison,  and  also  a  venerable  Rabbi. 

We  were  accompanied  on  our  visit  by  the  British  Consul's 
dragoman  and  a  writer  in  the  service  of  the  Pasha.  The  rooms 
in  which  the  prisoners  were  confined  were  in  the  second  floor  ot 
a  large  exterior  building  attached  to  the  Pasha's  palace,  princi- 
pally used  as  a  barrack. 

The  apartment  opened  into  a  covered  corridor  or  gallery 
running  round  the  whole  length  of  the  building.  None  of  the 
doors  were  closed,  but  sentries  were  planted  at  intervals  along 
the  gallery.  The  prisoners  were  almost  all  of  them  elderly 
men,  and  seemed  very  unhappy.  Mr  Schlientz,  who  is  both  an 
Arabic  and  a  Hebrew  scholar,  spoke  to  several  of  them  on  the 
subject  of  religion,  pointing  out  to  them,  in  their  affliction,  the 


2  $6       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

consolations  of  Scriptures,  which  appeared  greatly  to  excite  the 
mirth  of  our  attendants  and  other  bystanders. 

The  prisoners  confined  here  were  either  six  or  seven  in 
number,  the  remainder,  amongst  whom  was  the  Rabbi,  were  in 
custody  in  another  part  of  the  Seraglio,  in  apartments  on  the 
ground  floor. 

The  chambers  in  which  the  prisoners  were  lodged  were 
tolerably  comfortable,  and  spacious  enough  to  afford  them  the 
means  of  taking  partial  exercise.  An  obvious  desire  existed  on 
the  part  of  our  attendants  to  represent  matters  in  the  most 
favourable  light,  and  to  convince  us  that  the  prisoners,  in  their 
confinement,  were  treated  with  the  greatest  leniency. 

I  have  been  particular,  at  the  risk  of  being  thought  tedious, 
in  giving  a  circumstantial  detail  of  our  various  visits,  as  it  will 
impress  upon  this  statement  the  stamp  of  authenticity,  and 
at  least  serve  to  show  that  we  were  anxious  by  all  the  means  in 
our  power  to  arrive  at  a  knowledge  of  the  truth. 

In  the  course  of  these  visits  we  had  a  great  deal  of  conversa- 
tion with  the  families  and  friends  of  the  accused,  persons  who, 
far  from  appearing  desirous  of  concealing  anything,  seemed  on 
the  contrary  anxious  to  have  everything  fairly  enquired  into, 
and  submitted  to  the  most  ample  investigation.  We  saw  several 
people  who  had  been  subjected  to  torture,  amongst  whom  was 
one  woman,  a-  female  servant  of  David  Arari  ;  we  saw  their 
wounds  yet  unhealed,  and  heard  from  their  own  lips  the  de- 
scription of  the  sufferings  they  had  endured.  The  tortures  to 
which  they  had  been  subjected  were  of  the  most  cruel  and 
disgraceful  nature,  and  some  of  them  even  too  disgusting  to  be 
mentioned  with  propriety.  We  also  had,  during  our  stay  at 
Damascus,  many  opportunities  of  discussing  the  question  with 
various  people  with  various  shades  of  opinion,  and  of  canvassing 
the  evidence  adduced  in  support  of  the  charges. 

My  own  opinion,  in  which  I  may,  I  believe,  also  safely  state 
my  fellow-travellers  fully  concur,  is  that  the  Jews  of  Damascus 
are  NOT  GUILTY  of  the  atrocious  charges  which  have  been 
preferred  against  them. 

My  grounds  for  this  opinion  are  simply  this,  that  there  is  no 
admissible  evidence  to  support  the  charge. 

I  at  once  reject  in  limine,  as  repulsive  to  every  principle  of 
reason  and  equity,  and  as  unworthy  to  be  considered  as  legal 


Letter  from  Lieutenant  ShadwelL  237 

evidence,  all  the  admissions  and  confessions  of  the  witnesses  and 
accused  persons  which  were  extorted  by  torture  or  the  fear  of 
torture,  however  plausible  they  may  seem,  or  however  com- 
patible with  one  another  they  may  appear,  particularly  when 
I  find  them  at  variance  with  conflicting  testimony  on  the  one 
hand,  and  inconsistent  with  the  general  probabilities  on  the  other. 
Any  absurdities,  as  the  annals  of  witchcraft  fully  show, 
might  be  proved  by  the  agency  of  torture.  It  was  through  fear 
of  the  application  of  this  beauteous  engine  for  the  elucidation  of 
the  truth,  that  the  Inquisition  extorted  from  Galileo  the  admis- 
sion that  the  doctrine  of  the  earth's  motion  was  heretical ;  yet, 
notwithstanding  this  confession,  as  that  illustrious  man  ob- 
served on  rising  from  his  knees,  "  e  pur  si  muove."  So  also 
might  the  unhappy  Jews  of  Damascus,  whilst  yielding  to  bodily 
suffering  and  confessing  their  guilt,  exclaim  the  moment  after- 
wards, "but  yet  we  are  innocent." 

The  whole  of  the  pretended  evidence  against  the  prisoners 
was  obtained  either  by  torture  or  fear  of  torture,  and  the  alleged 
agreement  between  the  statements  of  the  different  witnesses,  on 
which  great  stress  has  been  laid,  may  easily  be  accounted  for 
when  it  is  considered  how  impossible  it  would  be  for  people 
writhing  under  agonies  of  intense  bodily  suffering  to  give  their 
evidence  in  a  clear  and  connected  manner,  and  how  absolutely 
necessary  it  would  be  to  extract  their  confession  from  them 
word  by  word,  affirmatively  or  negatively — yes  or  no — through 
the  agency  of  leading  questions. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  only  two  witnesses  who  appeared 
in  favour  of  the  Jews  were  conveniently  disposed  of  by  being 
bastinadoed  to  death.  These  were  a  young  man,  who  deposed 
to  having  spoken  to  Tommaso  and  his  servant  on  the  evening  of 
the  alleged  murder  as  they  were  proceeding  from  the  Jewish 
quarter,  and  the  porter  of  the  gate  near  the  house  of  David 
Arari,  who  stated  that  he  had  heard  or  seen  nothing  of  the 
priest's  remains  being  thrown  into  the  sewer. 

The  evidence  was  awkward,  and  not  at  all  suited  to  the 
wishes  of  the  prosecutors ;  and  it  proved  fatal  to  the  witnesses 
who  gave  it. 

But,  exclaim  those  who  argue  in  favour  of  the  guilt  of  the 
Jews,  even  although  there  is  not  sufficient  legal  evidence  to  con- 
vict them  of  the  crimes  laid  to  their  charge,  surely  you  must 
admit  that,  morally  speaking,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  they 


238       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montcfiore, 

are  actually  guilty.  Far  from  it.  Every  reasonable  consideration 
appears  to  my  mind  to  throw  discredit  on  the  statements  of  their 
accusers,  while  the  whole  of  the  evidence  teems  with  obvious  and 
palpable  improbabilities. 

For  instance,  to  say  nothing  of  the  absence  of  any  rational 
assignable  motive  which  could  induce  frontier  merchants — men 
of  rank  and  influence  among  their  own  people — men  of  wealth 
and  consideration  among  their  neighbours — with  everything  to 
lose  and  nothing  to  gain,  to  conspire  together  to  commit  two 
such  atrocious  murders,  is  it  likely  for  one  moment,  even  if  they 
did  so,  that  they  should  be  so  utterly  devoid  of  all  common 
prudence,  and  so  grossly  infatuated,  as  to  place  themselves  in 
the  power  of  two  such  inferior  persons  as  a  barber  and  a  servant 
as  accomplices  ? 

And  again,  even  on  the  hypothesis  that  they  had  been 
actuated  by  some  such  fanatical  motive  as  has  been  imputed  to 
them,  is  it  at  all  probable  that  they  would  have  selected  for  their 
victim  an  individual  so  certain  to  be  missed  as  the  Father 
Tommaso  ?  From  his  long  residence  at  Damascus,  and  the 
nature  of  his  calling,  his  absence  was  sure  to  be  noticed.  Why 
not  have  selected  for  their  victim  some  more  obscure  individual, 
on  whom  their  barbarous  fanaticism  might  have  exercised  their 
impious  rites  with  impunity?  Bah!  why  waste  time  by  pur- 
suing the  ridiculous  absurdities  of  these  suppositions  any  further? 

Then,  again,  all  the  accusers,  with  Halil  Said  Naivi  at  their 
head,  were  persons  of  low  degree  and  disreputable  character, 
whose  testimony  on  any  ordinary  occasion  would  have  been 
received  with  extreme  caution  ;  while  the  recollection  of  the 
pillaging  and  extortions  to  which  the  Jewish  families  have  been 
subjected,  affords  a  clue  to  the  motives  which  have  instigated  the 
persecutors. 

Considerable  importance  has  been  attached  to  the  finding  of 
the  bones,  but  it  should  be  remembered  that  they  were  not  dis- 
covered till  twenty-five  days  after  the  disappearance  of  Father 
Tomasso ;  that  the  sewer  where  the  bones  were  found  was  the 
common  receptacle  of  all  the  filth  and  offal  of  the  neighbour- 
hood, and  that  considerable  difference  of  opinion  existed  among 
the  medical  men  by  whom  they  were  examined  as  to  the  fact  of 
their  being  human  bones  at  all ;  while  there  are  strong  grounds 
for  believing  in  the  existence  of  the  most  fraudulent  collusion 
with  reference  to  their  discovery. 


Letter  from  Lieutenant  Shadwett.  239 

In  conclusion,  to  the  reiteration  of  my  already  expressed 
opinion,  I  can  merely  add  that  I  conceive  the  whole  charge  to 
be  a  base  and  odious  calumny,  unsupported  by  any  credible 
testimony ;  a  mere  renewal  of  those  disgusting  persecutions 
which  disgraced  the  annals  of  the  dark  ages,  and  one  which 
would  not  for  one  moment  be*  tolerated  in  the  present  day 
among  a  civilised  and  enlightened  people. 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  the  disturbed  condition  of  the 
East  at  the  period  of  your  Mission  to  Alexandria  prevented 
Mohhammad  Ali  from  ordering  a  full  and  fair  judicial  enquiry 
into  the  whole  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Damascus  affair,  as  there 
is  no  doubt  that  the  enemies  of  the  Jews  will  not  be  slow  to 
represent  the  edict  which  Mohhammad  Ali  has  accorded  to  your 
requests,  as  granted  more  through  pressure  of  external  political 
embarrassments  than  freely  given  as  a  mere  matter  of  justice 
and  righteous  dealing ;  more  as  a  political  compromise  of  a  diffi- 
cult and  troublesome  question  than  as  the  solemn  act  of  the 
Government  of  the  country,  vindicating  the  Jews  from  the 
aspersions  which  had  been  foully  cast  upon  them,  and  branding 
with  the  stamp  of  official  disapprobation  those  who  had  dared  to 
utter  them. 

You  have,  however,  done  all  that  circumstances  permitted 
you  to  accomplish.  In  the  present  excited  condition  of  these 
countries,  your  attempting  to  reach  Damascus  would  be  highly 
dangerous,  if  not  altogether  impracticable  ;  and  even  if  you  got 
there,  I  do  not  see  how  you  could  accomplish  any  good  while 
the  Government  is  yet  unsettled,  and  in  the  absence  of  any  con- 
stituted authority  to  aid  your  efforts  with  the  influence  of  the 
British  Government. 

"  Magna  est  veritas  et  praevalebit."  Go  on  and  prosper  in  your 
righteous  endeavours  to  protect  the  cause  of  innocence  and  truth. 
Let  us  hope  for  better  times,  when  the  advancing  tide  of  know- 
ledge and  civilisation  will  sweep  away  the  last  remains  of  ignor- 
ance and  fanaticism,  and  the  vindictive  spirit  of  persecution  flee 
at  the  scowl  of  the  genius  of  truth. 

Trusting  you  will  excuse  my  -having  so  long  trespassed  on 
your  attention,  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Sir,  your  obedient 
servant,  CHARLES  F.  A.  SHADWELL. 

The  evidence  of  two  such  witnesses,  given  in  an  English 
Court  of  Justice,  would  surely  have  been  considered  decisive. 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 
1840. 

AFFAIRS  IN  THE  EAST— ULTIMATUM  FROM  THE  POWERS- 
GLOOMY  PROSPECTS  OF  THE  MISSION — NEGOTIATIONS 
WITH  THE  PASHA — EXCITEMENT  IN  ALEXANDRIA — ILL- 
NESS OF  LADY  MONTEFIORE. 

'THURSDAY,  August  nth. — We  called  on  Colonel  Hodges, 
who  informed  us  of  the  arrival  of  a  Turkish  steamer  from 
Constantinople.  He  said  it  must  have  brought  the  Ultimatum 
of  the  four  great  Powers  to  the  Pasha  ;  that  the  door  of  negotia- 
tion was  now  not  only  shut,  but  locked,  and  the  Pasha  must 
give  an  immediate  answer.  Colonel  Hodges  advised  Sir  Moses 
to  act  in  the  same  way  as  he  should  do  ;  if  he  (Colonel  Hodges) 
left  Alexandria,  Sir  Moses  should  do  the  same,  and  also  go  to 
the  same  place  as  he  did.  He  said  he  expected  every  hour 
some  ships  belonging  to  the  English  fleet,  but  did  not  wish  Sir 
Moses  to  mention  this  fact.  Sir  Moses  said  this  interview  and 
conversation  reminded  him  forcibly  of  those  he  had  had  in  1827 
with  the  late  Mr  Salt,  English  Consul  General  in  Cairo,  but  he 
felt  even  less  uneasy  than  he  did  at  that  time,  as  he  did  not 
apprehend  war,  though  things  looked  serious. 

Wednesday,  August  \2tJi. — A  French  war  steamer  arrived 
from  Toulon,  and  returned  the  same  afternoon  to  Smyrna ;  the 
reports  were  all  very  black.  We  called  on  Colonel  Hodges,  but 
seeing  he  was  occupied  on  important  business,  we  left  him. 

Mr  Thorburn  called,  and  told  us  that  Mr  Larkin  had  sum- 
moned a  meeting  of  all  the  British  residents  at  his  house  at  one 
o'clock,  to  inform  them  that  the  four  great  Powers  had  sent 
their  Ultimatum  to  Mohhammad  Ali.  Colonel  Hodges  warned 
them  to  limit  their  credits  as  much  as  possible,  and  to  prepare 
for  the  worst.  The  meeting  occasioned  much  alarm. 

In  the  afternoon  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore,  with  their 
friends,  visited  the  Turkish  line  of  battle-ship  Mahmudie,  under 
Colonel  Reale  Bey,  who  received  them  most  politely,  and 


Ultimatum  from  the  Powers.  241 

showed  them  over  his  ship.     On  their  return  they  found  that 
one  of  their  party  had  been  taken  ill. 

August  I3///.— Mr  and  Mrs  Tibaldi  called,  and  Sir  Moses 
and  Lady  Montefiore  accompanied  them  to  a  small  palace  near 
the  Pasha's,  where  they  were  introduced  to  Sa'eed  Bey,  Mohham- 
mad  Ali's  son,  a  very  chatty  and  good-tempered  young  man 
about  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  understood  English  and 
spoke  French  well.  He  conversed  about  his  studies,  his  horses, 
&c.,  and  had  his  favourite  grey  led  under  the  window  where  the 
party  were  assembled.  Mr  Thurburn  was  present.  They  after- 
wards went  over  the  Pasha's  palace,  were  much  pleased  with 
the  building,  and  admired  the  elegance  with  which  it  was  fur- 
nished. In  the  evening  Monsieur  and  Madame  Laurin,  Monsieur 
and  Madame  Cremieux,  Captain  Lyons,  Captain  Austin,  and 
Mr  Thurburn  dined  with  us.  They  told  Sir  Moses  that  the 
Count  de  Walewski,  a  natural  son  of  Napoleon,  had  arrived 
from  France,  and  it  was  confidently  stated  that  he  brought 
offers  of  men,  money,  and  ships  from  the  King  of  the  French  to 
the  Pasha.  The  news  was  credited  in  the  town,  and  it  was 
therefore  supposed  that  the  Pasha  would  not  accept  the  Ultima- 
tum of  the  Powers,  and  a  general  war  in  Europe  as  well  as  in 
the  East  would  be  the  consequence.  Sir  Moses  did  not  believe 
that  this  would  be  the  case,  but  thought  the  affair  would  be 
arranged  satisfactorily.  The  Pasha  had  ten  days  to  consider 
his  answer,  and  by  that  time  Sir  Moses  hoped  to  be  at 
Damascus. 

Augiist  \4fth. — Sir  Moses  called  on  Colonel  Hodges,  who- 
gave  him  Mr  Werry's  reply  to  the  enquiries  respecting  the  un- 
fortunate Jews  at  Damascus;  the  Colonel  also  showed  him  a 
letter  from  Beyrout,  dated  the  8th  inst.,  from  which  it  appeared 
that  the  insurrection  in  Syria  had  not  been  entirely  put  down  ; ' 
and  he  advised  Sir  Moses  not  to  venture  just  then  to  Damascus, 
as  our  situation  there  might  be  very  perilous,  in  the  event  of  the 
Pasha's  not  agreeing  to  the  Ultimatum  of  the  Powers. 

In  the  evening  we  attended  the  European  Synagogue,  which 
was  beautifully  illuminated,  while  the  floor  was  thickly  strewn 
with  flowers.  The  building  was  crowded,  and  the  utmost  decorum 
prevailed  during  the  service.  Subsequently  the  representatives 
of  the  community  were  invited  to  join  our  dinner  party,  on  which 
occasion  many  excellent  speeches,  in  various  Oriental  and 
I.  Q 


242       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

European  languages,  were  made,  referring  principally  to  the 
object  of  our  Mission. 

August  \yh. — We  selected  the  Synagogue  of  the  natives  for 
attending  divine  service  on  this  day.  The  heat  there  was  very 
great  and  oppressive,  but  the  devotion  of  the  congregation  and 
the  mode  of  chanting  the  prayers  afforded  us  much  satisfaction. 

Between  two  and  three  Sir  Moses  called  on  Colonel  Hodges 
to  express  his  extreme  regret  that  Mr  Werry  had  done  so  little 
towards  improving  the  condition  of  the  unhappy  men  at 
Damascus,  and  to  request  him  to  write  to  the  Consul,  which  the 
Colonel  promised  to  do.  The  Sabbath  did  not  prevent  Sir  Moses 
from  attending  to  the  object  of  his  JVlission,  as  in  a  case  like  this, 
where  life  and  death  are  at  stake,  exertion  and  work  are  con- 
sidered permissible.  Colonel  Hodges  said  that  the  Pasha  would 
give  us  no  answer  till  the  political  question  was  settled.  Monsieur 
de  Wagner,  the  Prussian  Consul-General,  was  present  and  con- 
firmed this.  Both  advised  Sir  Moses  not  to  venture  on  a  journey 
to  Damascus  while  affairs  were  in  such  a  serious  state.  Syria 
was  in  open  rebellion,  and  in  Damascus  he  would  only  be  looked 
upon  as  a  Jew  coming  to  screen  the  guilt  of  his  brethern,  while  the 
fanaticism  of  the  Christian  populace  of  that  place  was  so  great, 
that  he  would  certainly  be  murdered.  Both  Colonel  Hodges 
and  the  Prussian  Consul  said  that  the  Pasha  would  refuse  the 
Ultimatum,  and  war  was  inevitable. 

Sir  Moses  returned  home,  very  unhappy  on  account  of  the 
nine  unfortunate  prisoners  at  Damascus,  but  determined  to  do 
everything  in  his  power,  and  to  go  to  the  Palace  after  Sabbath. 

At  seven  he  proceeded  to  the  Pasha's  residence,  accompanied 
by  Monsieur  Cremieux  and  the  members  of  the  Mission.  His 
Highness  received  us  kindly,  but  said  he  was  so  much  engaged 
with  affairs  of  high  importance,  that  he  could  not  give  us  an 
answer  then.  Sir  Moses  urged  him  strongly,  in  the  cause  of 
humanity,  to  give  his  decision,  as  there  were  nine  prisoners  ;  he 
replied  that  he  had  given  orders  for  their  being  well  treated,  and 
he  would  send  a  letter  to  Sir  Moses  next  day  to  the  same  effect. 
Sir  Moses  then  asked  pardon  for  the  trouble  he  had  given  him,  but 
the  Pasha  said,  on  the  contrary  he  ought  rather  to  apologise  to 
Sir  Moses.  Mr  S.  Briggs,  who  was  present  at  the  audience,  very 
frequently  added  kind  words,  which  appeared  to  influence  the 
Pasha.  We  took  leave  much  dispirited  ;  but  scarcely  had  we 
returned  to  our  hotel,  when  Mr  Briggs  came,  and  informed  Sir 


Gloomy  Prospects  of  the  Mission.  243 

Moses  that  the  Pasha  had  given  him  more  than  half  a  promise 
that  he  would  liberate  all  the  prisoners,  declaring  at  the  same 
time  his  entire  belief  in  their  innocence  of  the  murder,  and  of  the 
other  charges  made  against  them. 

August  \6th. — Having  prepared  with  great  care  the  document 
proposed  by  Mr  Briggs  for  the  approval  and  signature  of  the 
Pasha,  Sir  Moses  took  it  to  Mr  Briggs.  The  petition  had  been 
drawn  up  in  strict  accordance  with  what  Mr  Briggs  said  His 
Highness  would  agree  to.  On  his  return  he  sent  for  Monsieur 
Cremieux,  so  that  his  signature  might  also  be  attached  to  it.  Mr 
and  Mrs  Briggs  then  called,  and  Sir  Moses  gave  them  the 
document  for  the  Pasha. 

In  the  evening  Mr  Briggs  called  again,  and  informed  us  that 
he  had  seen  the  Pasha,  to  whom  the  paper  had  been  explained, 
but  he  had  declined  to  grant  the  request  it  contained,  saying  that 
there  was  so  .much  excitement  on  the  subject  that  he  could  not 
determine  ;  he  appeared,  however,  willing  to  allow  the  prisoners 
their  freedom,  and  so  end  the  matter.  Mr  Briggs  had  afterwards 
spoken  with  the  Secretary,  who  took  the  paper,  said  he  would 
alter  it,  and  show  it  him  the  next  day.  "  The  fact  is,"  said  Sir 
Moses,  "  they  wish  the  atrocious  transaction  to  be  hushed  up, 
but  I  will  never  consent  to  that." 

In  the  morning  we  went  to  the  Austrian  Consul  to  obtain 
from  him  the  names  of  all  the  prisoners,  as  well  as  a  list  of  those 
who  had  already  fallen  victims  to  the  outrageous  tyranny  of 
Sheriff  Pasha  and  of  the  French  Consul  Rattimenton.  Monsieur 
Laurin  informed  us  that  the  four  ambassadors  had  arrived  from 
Constantinople  with  the  Ultimatum,  and  would  visit  the  Pasha. 

Monday,  August  17 th. — Sir  Moses  called  on  Mr  Briggs,  and 
gave  him  copies  of  several  Bulls  of  the  Pope,  with  some  letters 
and  Smyrna  papers  ;  also  a  list  of  merchants  at  Damascus,  with 
their  supposed  amount  of  capital.  Mr  Briggs  promised  he 
would  see  the  Pasha  in  the  evening,  but  his  manner  of  speaking 
was  much  less  sanguine  of  success. 

On  the  same  day  Dr  Madden  and  Mr  Wire  left  us  for  a  trip 
to  Cairo  and  the  Pyramids.  Sir  Moses  writes  :  "  I  would  gladly 
have  accompanied  them  with  my  dear  wife  and  Dr  Loewe,  as  I 
am  sure  it  would  have  been  most  beneficial  to  our  health,  but  it 
did  not  appear  to  me  right  to  leave  my  post,  even  for  an  hour." 

August  iS//*. — Mr  Briggs  went  in  the  morning  to  the  Pasha. 
Colonel  Hodges  informed  Sir  Moses  (confidentially)  that  three 


244       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

of  his  Highness'  transport  ships,  with  provisions  and  arms,  had 
left  the  harbour  for  Syria,  and  that  he  (Colonel  Hodges)  had 
sent  the  Gorgon  to  bring  them  back.,  They  were  not  to  be 
allowed  to  land  on  the  coast  ;  if  they  refused  they  were  to 
be  compelled  to  return,  and  if  force  was  used  they  were  to 
be  sent  to  Malta.  When  this  was  accomplished,  notice  would 
be  given  to  the  Pasha  that  none  of  his  war-ships  would  be 
allowed  to  leave  the  harbour.  Nothing  could  be  more  warlike 
than  the  momentary  aspect  of  affairs.  The  Pasha  sent  Mr 
Briggs  and  one  of  his  Secretaries  to  Sir  Moses  with  a  copy  of 
a  despatch  he  had  received  from  Sheriff  Pasha,  of  Damascus, 
giving  an  account  of  the  manner  in  which  prisoners  were  treated 
by  him.  Of  course  it  was  stated  to  be  most  lenient,  and  it  was 
denied  that  tortures  had  been  used.  Monsieur  Cochelet  made 
the  following  proposal  to  Monsieur  Cremieux  for  the  solution  of 
the  Damascus  difficulty: — 

That  the. Pasha  was  to  declare  that  the  Jews  who  had  died 
had  committed  the  murder  from  motives  of  private  vengeance, 
but  that  the  nine  Jews  still  in  prison  were  innocent,  and  were  to 
be  set  at  liberty.  The  Pasha  would  also  publish  his  opinion 
that  there  was  nothing  in  the  Jewish  religion  or  writings  that  in 
any  way  sanctioned  the  shedding  of  blood  for  the  Passover. 

Sir  Moses  told  Monsieur  Cremieux  that  it  was  impossible 
for  him  to  consent  to  such  an  arrangement.  He  never  would 
allow  that  any  Jew  committed  the  murder  of  Father  Tommaso 
and  his  servant,  either  from  vengeance  or  any  other  motive ; 
were  he  base  enough  to  admit  such  a  thing,  its  effect  would 
be  most  mischievous,  for  in  every  part  of  the  world  it  would 
be  said  that  the  Jews  were  guilty,  and  the  same  awful  charges 
would  be  brought  against  them  over  and  over  again. 

This  proposal  of  Monsieur  Cochelet  caused  a  most  painful 
sensation  in  the  heart  of  every  member  of  the  Mission  ;  but, 
from  a  man  whose  official  position  compelled  him  to  justify  the 
proceedings  of  Rattimenton,  a  different  suggestion  could  scarcely 
have  been  anticipated. 

August  igt/i. — All  this  anxiety  preyed  so  much  on  the  minds 
of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  that  their  health  was  greatly 
affected  by  it,  and  Lady  Montefiore  became  so  ill  that  the 
immediate  attendance  of  a  physician  was  required.  The 
weather,  also,  was  extremely  close  and  oppressive,  which 
greatly  aggravated  the  discomfort  of  both.  Monsieur  Cre- 


Illness  of  Lady  Montefiore.  245 

mieux  called,  and  brought  the  news  that  the  British  fleet, 
with  Albanian  troops  which  they  intended  landing,  was  off 
Beyrout.  He  requested  Sir  Moses  not  to  go  to  the  Pasha, 
as  Monsieur  Cochelet  did  not  deem  it  prudent;  but  Sir  Moses 
did  not  feel  justified  in  making  a  promise  to  that  effect,  and 
explained  to  Monsieur  Cremieux,  as  his  reason,  that  it  would 
not  be  advisable  to  adopt  any  suggestion  made  to  the  latter  by 
Monsieur  Cochelet. 

The  town  had  been  in  a  state  of  great  consternation  all  day, 
and  most  warlike  reports  were  spreading  everywhere.  Never- 
theless Sir  Moses  would  not  agree  to  the  proposal  which  had 
been  made  by  Monsieur  Cochelet. 

AugustsT&tk. — Lady  Montefiore  felt  somewhat  better,  and 
the  doctor  entertained  hopes  of  her  speedy  recovery.  Early  in 
the  morning  Sir  Moses  called  on  Colonel  Hodges,  and  remained 
with  him  fully  two  hours.  Captains  Napier  and  Walker  were 
off  the  coast  of  Syria  with  six  thousand  Albanians,  and  had 
summoned  Beyrout.  A  serious  occurrence  took  place  in  the 
forenoon,  which  added  greatly  to  the  already  troubled  state  of 
the  town.  The  Dutch  Vice-Consul,  whose  horse  had  accidentally 
kicked  one  of  the  National  Guards,  was  immediately  set  upon  by 
the  mob  and  grossly  ill-treated.  It  was  with  great  difficulty  that 
some  of  the  officers  rescued  him  from  being  murdered. 

Two  large  Austrian  frigates  anchored  near  the  Bellerophon, 
and  the  Cyclops  took  soundings  outside  the  harbour. 

Mr  Briggs  called  to  inform  Sir  Moses  that  he  was  going  to 
England  in  three  days.  He  brought  a  paper  which  he  had 
drawn  up,  similar  to  that  which  Sir  Moses  had  given  him  for 
the  Pasha's  signature,  but  not  couched  in  such  strong  terms. 
He  wished  Sir  Moses  to  see  it,  and  he  would  then  take  it  to  the 
Pasha,  and  endeavour  to  procure  his  consent  to  it.  Sir  Moses 
sent  for  Monsieur  Cremieux  to  approve  it,  and  then  returned 
it  to  Mr  Briggs,  who  promised  to  speak  to  the  Pasha  either  the 
same  evening  or  the  next  evening. 

August  -2\st. — Lady  Montefiore  continued  poorly,  and  Dr 
Laidlow  advised  our  removing  to  the  Nile.  Sir  Moses  was  also 
unwell,  and  the  uncertain  state  of  politics  did  not  afford  any  con- 
solation ;  every  person  we  saw  had  alarm  depicted  on  his  counte- 
nance. Monsieur  Cremieux  spoke  of  leaving  on  the  following 
Tuesday  for  Athens  or  Constantinople  in  the  French  steamer. 
Sir  Moses  wrote  to  Mr  Wire  and  Doctor  Madden,  begging  them 


246      Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

to  hasten  their  return.  Mr  Briggs  called  to  say  that  he  feared  the 
Pasha  would  do  nothing  against  the  wishes  of  Monsieur  Cochelet 
Mr  Galloway  and  Mr  Tibaldi  also  paid  us  a  visit,  both  much  out 
of  spirits.  Sir  Moses  said  he  would  not  move  till  Dr  Madden 
and  Mr  Wire  returned,  unless  Colonel  Hodges  left,  in  which  case 
he  almost  feared  he  v/ould  be  compelled  to  do  so.  The  weather 
was  dreadfully  oppressive ;  the  sickly  season  had  commenced, 
and  fever  was  prevalent. 

We  attended  divine  service  in  the  evening,  and  afterwards 
Monsieur  and  Madame  Cremieux  dined  with  us.  Monsieur 
Cremieux  told  Sir  Moses  that  Clot  Bey  had  introduced  him  to 
the  Pasha  in  the  garden,  and  that  he  (Monsieur  Cremieux)  had 
made  a  speech  to  the  Pasha,  wishing  him  success  with  Egypt 
and  Syria,  but  had  not  referred  to  the  Mission. 

Saturday,  August  22nd. — Lady  Montefiore  continued  ill, and 
too  weak  to  leave  the  house.  At  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning 
we  repaired  to  the  Synagogue  where  we  attended  service.  A 
large  and  devout  congregation  was  assembled.  On  our  return 
Mr  Larkins,  the  English  Consul,  called.  He  had  just  left  the 
Pasha,  with  whom  he  had  been  conversing  for  more  than  an 
hour  on  the  subject  of  our  Mission.  He  had  read  to  His  High- 
ness the  letters  he  had  received  from  England  from  Colonel 
Campbell,  Mr  Thurburn,  and  Dr  Bowririg,  all  entreating  him,  in 
his  own  interest,  to  grant  our  request,  that  he  might  stand  well 
in  the  opinion  of  Europe.  They  also  assured  him  that  the  afifair 
had  caused  a  great  sensation  in  England  ;  but  Mr  Larkins  said 
that  the  Pasha  remained  firm,  and  declared  it  was  impossible  for 
him  to  do  anything  in  the  business  just  then.  Mr  Briggs  also 
spoke  to  the  Pasha,  but  without  success.  He  gave  the  papers 
we  had  prepared  for  the  Pasha's  signature  to  Khosrev,  the  prin- 
cipal interpreter  at  the  Palace,  so  that  he  should  be  fully 
acquainted  with  the  contents.  Mr  Larkins  told  the  Pasha  that 
Sir  Moses  intended  coming  for  his  answer  in  the  evening.  In 
reply  to  his  application  for  a  simple  "firman"  to  go  to  Damascus, 
the  Pasha  said  that  Syria  was  in  too  disturbed  a  state  to  permit 
of  his  travelling  there  with  security. 

In  the  evening,  after  the  conclusion  of  Sabbath,  as  we  were 
setting  out  for  the  Palace,  Sir  Moses  received  a  note  from  Mr 
Briggs,  enclosing  one  from  Khosrev,  requesting  Sir  Moses  to  defer 
the  visit  to  His  Highness,  as  it  was  a  most  unfavourable  moment. 


Illness  of  Lady  Montefiore.  247 

Affairs  appeared  decidedly  alarming,  and  the  English  fleet 
was  expected  every  moment  with  Admiral  Stopford.  Captain 
Austen  of  the  Bellerophon  and  Captain  Austen  of  the  Cyclops 
both  called  on  Sir  Moses,  and  most  kindly  offered  to  receive  us 
on  board  their  ships  in  the  event  of  our  being  obliged  to  leave 
Alexandria  for  safety.  The  Pasha  was  making  great  prepara- 
tions for  war,  including  new  batteries  and  arrangements  for  the 
better  armament  of  the  fleet.  It  was  rumoured  that  he  intended 
leaving  Alexandria  in  a  few  days. 

August  2$rd. — Lady  Montefiore  passed  a  very  bad  night,  and 
her  illness  caused  Sir  Moses  much  anxiety.  The  doctor  came 
twice  during  the  day.  In  the  evening  he  found  her  less  feverish, 
and  reported  more  favourably  upon  her  state  of  health  generally. 
He  advised  her  to  change  her  bedroom,  which  appeared  damp, 
and  might  have  caused  the  fever. 

Madame  Cremieux  came  to  tell  us  that  she  intended  spend- 
ing the  day  in  the  country,  and  talked  of  visiting  Cairo  as  soon 
as  the  French  boat  arrived.  Colonel  Hodges,  Mr  Bell,  Mr  and 
Mrs  Briggs,  and  Mr  Stephens  also  called.  The  latter  informed 
us  that  it  was  generally  believed  that  the  Pasha  had  agreed  to 
leave  the  settlement  of  the  whole  question  to  the  King  of  the 
French.  It  was  also  stated  that  Monsieur  Guizot  was  to  have 
an  audience  with  His  Majesty  on  the  I2th  inst,  and  the  result 
would  be  known  in  Alexandria  on  the  following  Tuesday.  It 
was  thought  that  the  troops  in  Syria  would  probably  be  influ- 
enced by  the  Sultan's  money,  as  they  had  not  received  any  pay 
for  the  last  eleven  months.  The  English  Admiral  with  the  fleet 
was  expected  to  arrive  on  the  following  day. 

Monsieur  Cremieux  called,  and  we  agreed  to  send  a  letter  to 
the  Pasha,  soliciting  him  to  set  at  liberty  the  unfortunate  Jews 
at  Damascus.  Monsieur  Laurin,  the  Austrian  Consul,  promised 
to  call  upon  all  the  other  Consuls,  and,  if  possible,  prevail  on  them 
to  sign  a  recommendation  to  the  Pasha  to  grant  our  request. 
Sir  Moses  did  not  think  he  would  succeed  with  Monsieur  Cochelet 
or  the  Sardinian  Consul.  Mr  Briggs  announced  his  intention 
of  going  to  the  former  v/ith  the  original  document  that  we  pre- 
pared for  the  Pasha,  and  of  using  his  influence  to  remove  Mon- 
sieur Cochelet's  hostility. 

August  2^th. — Dr  Laidlaw  found  Lady  Montefiore  rather 
better  and  tolerably  free  from  fever. 


CHAPTER    XXX. 

1840. 

THE  ENGLISH  GOVERNMENT  AND  THE  PASHA — MOHHAMMAD 
ALI  AND  THE  SLAVES — THE  PASHA  PROMISES  TO  RELEASE 
THE  DAMASCUS  PRISONERS — HE  GRANTS  THEM  AN  "  HON- 
OURABLE "  LIBERATION. 

THE  French  steamer  from  Marseilles  arrived ;  our  letters 
from  London  gave  confident  hopes  of  peace  being  pre- 
served. The  Ministry  was  stronger  than  ever,  being  supported 
by  both  Whigs  and  Tories.  There  would  be  no  half  measures, 
and  the  Pasha  would  be  obliged  to  submit.  Baron  Charles  de 
Rothschild  wrote  from  Naples,  that  Lord  Palmerston  had  made 
a  pacific  speech  on  the  7th,  and  amicable  relations  would  be 
preserved  with  France.  Baron  Charles  enclosed  a  letter  of 
introduction  to  the  Neapolitan  Consul  for  Sir  Moses. 

We  immediately  went  there  to  present  the  same,  and  had  a 
very  long  conversation  with  him.  He  knew  all  about  the 
Damascus  affair,  and  the  painful  reports  of  Sheriff  Pasha.  He 
told  us  that  the  latter  was  an  adopted  son  of  Mohhammad  Ali, 
who  had  had  him  educated  with  his  own  children.  Sheriff 
Pasha's  own  father  had  been  an  officer,  and  was  killed  in  battle 
when  he  (Sheriff)  was  only  four  months  old.  The  Consul 
observed  that  the  trial  of  the  Jews  had  been  conducted  accord- 
ing to  Turkish  law,  and  any  interference  would  be  improper. 
He  had  sent  all  the  accounts  to  his  Government.  He  considered 
the  business  had  been  badly  managed  by  the  Consuls,  but  he 
could  not  sign  any  paper,  as  it  would  do  no  good  with  the  Pasha. 

On  the  same  day  we  received  a  letter  from  Constantinople, 
enclosing  a  firman  from  the  Sublime  Porte  in  favour  of  the 
deputation  of  the  Jews  ;  from  the  Grand  Vizier  to  Mohhammad 
Ali,  and  to  the  Governor  of  the  Island  of  Rhodes. 

We  called  on  Colonel  Hodges  and  Monsieur  Laurin,  who  had 
both  signed  the  petition  which  Sir  Moses  and  Monsieur  Cremieux 


Mohkammad  Alt  and  the  Slaves  249 

had  prepared  on  the  preceding  evening.  The  Consuls  of  the 
four  Powers  signed  it  very  readily,  but  Monsieur  de  Wagner 
called  on  Sir  Moses  and  recommended  his  not  presenting  it 
to  the  Pasha,  as  it  would  do  no  good  unless  signed  by  Monsieur 
Cochelet.  It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  distress  of  Sir  Moses 
as  he  became  more  and  more  convinced  that,  with  a  few  excep- 
tions, every  one  in  the  place,  great  and  small,  was  opposed  to 
the  object  of  his  Mission.  Dr  Madden  and  Mr  Wire  returned 
from  Cairo,  and  Admiral  Stopford  arrived  with  part  of  the  fleet. 
Sir  Moses  thought  we  should  be  obliged  to  leave  very  shortly. 

August  2$th. — Lady  Montefiore  continued  to  mend,  but  was 
not  sufficiently  recovered  to  venture  out.  Sir  Moses  went  at 
an  early  hour  to  Monsieur  Cremieux,  and  requested  him  not  to 
part  with  the  petition  bearing  both  their  signatures.  The  rest 
•of  the  day  we  were  engaged  in  preparing  letters  and  reports  for 
the  London  Committee.  Mr  Charles  Allison  called  and  reported 
that  the  aspect  of  affairs  was  less  warlike,  but  there  appeared 
no  doubt  of  the  Pasha's  refusal.  We  were  only  to  have  a 
military  blockade  of  the  Port  and  the  Coast  of  Syria,  and  all 
merchants  would  be  allowed  to  pass  freely.  This  sort  of 
blockade  would  cause  but  little  annoyance,  and  the  Pasha  would 
no  doubt  laugh  at  the  English  and  their  allies.  At  eight  o'clock 
the  following  morning  the  Consuls  of  the  four  Powers  were  to 
wait  on  Mohhammad  Ali  for  his  answer. 

August  26th. — Lady  Montefiore  was  much  better  and  able 
to  leave  her  room.  While  we  were  at  breakfast,  Mr  Briggs 
called  and  took  leave  of  us.  He  expressed  great  regret  that  his 
endeavours  with  the  Pasha  on  behalf  of  the  Damascus  prisoners 
had  failed.  Afterwards  Sir  Moses  visited  the  slave-market, 
accompanied  by  Dr  Madden,  as  he  was  desirous  of  learning  how 
far  the  present  state  of  the  market  corresponded  to  the  humane 
act  of  the  Pasha  in  abolishing  slavery.  During  the  first  inter- 
view which  Sir  Moses  had  had  with  Mohhammad  Ali,  the  latter 
had  spoken  for  a  considerable  time  on  the  subject,  and  appeared 
much  pleased  with  the  address  of  thanks  presented  to  him  by 
Dr  Madden  from  the  London  Society  for  the  Abolition  of  the 
Slave  Trade.  The  conversation  led  Sir  Moses  to  hope  that 
a  heart  which  'could  be  thus  moved  by  humane  sentiments, 
would  surely  not  sanction  such  tortures  and  sufferings  as  the 
Damascus  prisoners  had  been  made  to  endure. 


250       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

At  the  slave-market,  Sir  Moses  found  about  one  hundred 
slaves,  mostly  girls  and  boys ;  he  noticed  a  few  women  among 
them,  but  no  men.  The  price  of  the  girls  was  1000  piastres 
(£io),  and  of  the  boys,  600  or  £6.  There  were  two  Albanian 
women  for  whom  they  asked  1500  or  2000  piastres  (£15  to  ,£20). 
The  girls  appeared  to  be  well  treated  and  contented  with  their 
situation,  but  not  so  the  boys.  He  observed  two  boys  weeping 
most  bitterly,  and  on  enquiring  the  cause,  he  heard  that  the 
children  had  been  brought  from  Nubia  together,  that  they  were 
most  likely  brothers,  much  attached  to  each  other,  and  one  had 
just  been  sold.  He  spoke  to  the  man  who  had  purchased  the 
youth,  and  he  said  he  had  paid  600  piastres.  The  master  took 
the  lad  away,  and  in  all  probability  the  boys  never  saw  each 
other  again. 

"  Oh !  the  horrors  of  slavery ! "  exclaimed  Sir  Moses,  and 
added,  "  Perhaps  Mohhammad  Ali  may  not  be  aware  of  what 
we  have  seen,  else  he  could  not  conscientiously  have  spoken  as- 
he  did,  and  evinced  such  pleasure  in  the  vote  of  thanks  which 
the  London  Society  would  certainly  not  have  sent  had  they 
known  the  true  state  of  affairs." 

Sir  Moses  returned  home  much  depressed  by  what  he  had 
witnessed. 

There  was  nothing  new  in  politics,  but  two  English  men-of- 
war  had  left  for  the  East. 

August  2%t/i. — About  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  Sir  Moses 
received  a  letter  from  Monsieur  Cremieux,  informing  him  that 
he  had  started  for  Cairo.  Sir  Moses,  who  felt  himself  in  duty 
bound  not  to  quit  his  post  for  fear  of  injuring^  his  cause,  deter- 
mined, notwithstanding  the  disheartening  state  of  politics,  to  go 
to  the  Pasha  and  ask  for  an  answer  to  the  petition  that  he  had 
presented  on  the  day  after  his  arrival. 

At  two  o'clock  we  went  to  the  Palace.  We  were  shown  into- 
the  audience  hall,  and  a  beautiful  pipe  was  handed  to  Sir  Moses. 
About  twenty  minutes  afterwards  we  heard  that  the  Pasha  was 
leaving  his  room  for  the  hall  of  audience.  On  Sir  Moses  going 
to  the  door,  the  Pasha  smiled  and  beckoned  him  to  follow  him. 
Sir  Moses  did  so,  and  the  Pasha  motioned  him  to  be  seated. 
Sir  Moses  then  informed  His  Highness  that  "he  came  for  an- 
answer  to  the  paper  which  he  had  presented  at  his  first  inter- 
view. Mohhammad  Ali  replied  that  he  would  release  all  the 


The  Pasha  promises  to  release  the  Prisoners.        251 

prisoners,  upon  which,  Sir  Moses  said  his  desire  was  to  have  the 
guilty  punished,  and  requested  therefore  a  "firman"  to  go  to 
Damascus.  The  Pasha  said  he  had  better  not  go  there,  as  that 
place  was  in  a  very  excited  condition  ;  the  country  was  dis- 
turbed and  politics  unsettled.  Sir  Moses  agreed  to  postpone 
his  journey  for  a  short  time,  but  begged  for  the  firman,  that  he 
might  proceed  there  as  soon  as  things  changed,  and  the  Pasha 
then  promised  to  give  it  him.  Sir  Moses  further  petitioned  for 
permission  for  the  Jews  who  had  fled  to  return  to  Damascus, 
and  the  Pasha  granted  his  request.  Finally  Sir  Moses  requested 
Mohhammad  AH  to  give  him  a  copy  of  his  letter  to  the  Gover- 
nor of  Damascus.  His  Highness  promised  to  send  it  to  him  with 
the  firman,  and  desired  him  to  write  to  his  co-religionists  at 
Damascus,  and  he  (the  Pasha)  would  send  the  letter  by  his  post, 
by  which  means  they  would  receive  it  in  five  days. 

"Thanks  to  Heaven,"  Sir  Moses  said,  "the  Mission  has 
gained  something ;  the  lives  of  nine  innocent  persons  are  thus 
preserved." 

Sir  Moses  wrote  immediately  to  Monsieur  Cremieux,  and  Mr 
Galloway  sent  a  man  off  with  it  to  Cairo.  He  also  sent  for 
Messrs  Sonino,  Valencen,  and  Toria,  and  the  Spiritual  Head  of 
the  Hebrew  community,  to  acquaint  them  with  the  good  news, 
enjoining  them  at  the  same  time  to  keep  it  secret  till  the  papers 
arrived  from  the  Pasha. 

Sir  Moses  then  prepared  for  Sabbath,  and  attended  divine 
service  in  the  European  Synagogue.  Subsequently  went  to  the 
Palace  for  a  copy  of  the  letter  to  the  Governor  of  Damascus,  but 
we  had  to  wait  there  several  hours,  as  the  Ambassador  from 
Constantinople  and  the  Consuls  of  the  four  great  Powers  were 
with  the  Pasha.  They  remained  with  him  some  time,  and  on 
their  withdrawal,  the  Capudan  Basha  had  an  interview  with  His 
Highness,  lasting  fully  two  hours  ;  then  the  French  Consul  came 
and  also  stopped  a  couple  of  hours,  so  that  it  became  very  late. 
On  our  enquiring  whether  we  should  still  wait,  Monsieur  Boufort 
told  me  to  come  the  following  morning,  when  I  should  be  able 
to  take  with  me  the  firman  enabling  us  to  go  to  Damascus,  and 
a  copy  of  the  order  for  the  Governor  at  that  place.  It  was 
after  ten  o'clock  when  we  returned  to  our  hotel,  at  which  hour 
Monsieur  Cremieux  also  came. 

August  2Qth. — In  the  morning  we  attended  divine  service. 


252       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

Seeing  Monsieur  Cremieux  and  Monsieur  Munk  there,  Sir  Moses 
desired  me  to  invite  the  latter  to  accompany  me  to  the  Palace. 
On  our  arrival  there  we  went  to  the  room  of  Negib  Effendi  (one 
of  the  chief  secretaries  of  the  Pasha),  to  order  several  copies  of 
the  firman  and  the  letter  to  the  Governor  of  Damascus.  On 
perusing  a  copy  of  the  original,  we  noticed  the  word  "Afoo" 
(pardon),  and  pointed  it  out  to  Negib  Effendi.  I  told  him  that 
Sir  Moses  would  never  be  satisfied  with  such  an  expression,  as 
the  Jews  could  not  for  one  moment  be  considered  guilty,  accord- 
ing to  the  proceedings  which  had  taken  place  at  Damascus. 
Negib  Effendi  and  another  secretary,  who  happened  to  be  present 
at  the  time,  entered  into  an  argument  with  me  on  the  subject, 
maintaining  their  idea  that  the  word  in  question  might  be  used 
and  understood  without  absolutely  conveying  the  meaning  of 
"pardon."  Nevertheless,  I  insisted  on  the  necessity  of  removing 
that  word  altogether.  As  I  could  not  leave  the  Palace,  I  re- 
quested Monsieur  Munk,  who  had  with  him  an  Arabic  translation 
of  the  Turkish  order,  to  go  and  inform  Sir  Moses  and  Monsieur 
Cremieux  that  it  was  desirable  they  should  immediately  tell  the 
Pasha  that  they  could  not  sanction  the  introduction  of  a  word 
so  grossly  misrepresenting  the  truth,  and  request  him  to  sub- 
stitute a  word  which  would  correctly  convey  his  sentiments. 
Monsieur  Munk  went  at  once  to  Monsieur  Cremieux,  but  ap- 
parently forgot  to  call  on  Sir  Moses.  Monsieur  Cremieux, 
being  probably  anxious  to  see  the  misleading  word  removed 
as  soon  as  possible,  came  at  once  to  the  Palace,  without  in- 
forming Sir  Moses  of  what  had  occurred.  The  Pasha,  without 
the  least  hesitation,  immediately  ordered  that  the  word  "  Afoo  " 
should  be  taken  out,  and  the  words  "  itlak  ve  Tervihh,"  signi- 
fying "  an  honourable  liberation,"  substituted  (literally  an  order 
for  their  liberation,  and  for  procuring  them  peace). 

On  my  return  from  the  Palace  I  acquainted  Sir  Moses  with 
what  had  taken  place,  and  he  expressed  much  regret  at  not 
having  being  informed  of  it  in  time.  He  said,  "  Had  I  known 
it,  I  should  have  been  most  indignant  with  the  Pasha  for  insert- 
ing the  word,  it  being  in  complete  opposition  to  my  request,  as 
I  would  never,  for  an  instant,  admit  any  guilt,  either  of  the  living 
or  the  dead."  He  went  again  to  the  Pasha,  and  His  Highness 
told  him  that  he  had  given  the  order  to  remove  the  objectionable 
word.  The  Neapolitan  Consul  and  his  wite,  and  Monsieur 
Laurin  came  to  offer  their  congratulations. 


Pay  their  Respects  to  the  Pasha.  253 

August  30///. — We  hastily  sent  despatches  to  London  and 
other  places,  and  on  the  following  day  a  letter  of  thanks  to 
His  Highness  the  Pasha  was  signed  by  Sir  Moses  and  Monsieur 
Cremieux. 

Wishing  to  do  all  the  good  in  their  power,  they  added  to  the 
letter  a  petition  in  which  they  entreated  him  to  abolish  the  use 
of  torture  in  his  dominions. 

In  the  morning,  Admiral  Sir  Robert  Stopford  came  on  shore, 
and  went  immediately  to  Colonel  Hodges.  Sir  Moses  went  -to 
see  the  Admiral,  who  gave  him  a  very  kind  reception.  About 
three  o'clock  the  Pasha  sent  a  strong  body  of  horse  guards  in 
full  uniform,  accompanied  by  a  capital  military  band,  to  attend 
the  Admiral.  It  was  a  handsome  compliment  on  the  part  of 
Mohhammad  Ali,  but  the  Admiral  declined  it,  and  they  soon 
returned. 

About  four  o'clock  Sir  Robert  Stopford  and  his  suite,  the 
Austrian  Admiral  and  his  suite,  with  the  English  and  Austrian 
Consuls,  proceeded  to  the  Palace  to  pay  their  respects  to  the 
Pasha.  The  Pasha's  carriage  with  four  horses  had  been  placed 
at  their  service,  as  well  as  Boghoz  Bey's  carriage  and  that  of 
Mr  Anastasia.  They  were  preceded  by  sixteen  janissaries,  the 
two  Captains  Austen,  and  many  others  on  horseback.  They 
were  absent  about  an  hour. 

Admiral  Rifaat  Bey  gave  the  "  Four  Combined  Powers,"  and 
Colonel  Hodges,  the  "  Five  Powers,"  meaning  that  he  included 
the  Sublime  Porte.  After  dinner,  Admiral  Stopford  inquired 
whether  Sir  Moses  intended  going  to  Damascus,  and  said  he 
would  send  a  brig  with  us.  Sir  Moses  replied  that'he  wished  to 
wait  till  Thursday,  when  he  would  inform  Sir  Robert  of  his  plan 
of  action.  The  two  Admirals  and  the  English  and  Austrian 
Consuls  were  to  dine  with  the  Pasha  on  the  following  day. 

Sir  Moses,  accompanied  by  Mr  Alison,  then  paid  visits  to 
Rifaat  Bey,  Saeed  Bey,  and  Colonel  Hodges.  On  his  return 
he  found  that  the  Austrian  Admiral  (Contre-Amiral  Baron 
Baudiera),  the  Austrian  Consul,  and  Mr  Andrew  Doyle,  had 
called.  Mr  Galloway  informed  Sir  Moses  that  Saeed  Bey  had 
obtained  the  permission  of  his  father,  Mohhammad  Ali,  to  dine 
with  him  any  day  he  liked.  Sir  Moses  thereupon  invited  him 
for  Thursday,  September  $rd,  and  also  sent  invitations  to 
Admiral  Stopford,  the  Austrian  Admiral,  and  others. 


254       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

The  day's  reports  led  Sir  Moses  to  believe  that  the  Pasha 
would  refuse  to  give  an  answer  to  the  four  Powers  on  Saturday. 
The  Admiral  would  do  nothing  without  further  orders  from 
home,  and  it  was  Sir  Moses'  opinion  that  the  Pasha  would  laugh 
at  them  all,  and  most  probably  succeed  at  last,  or  involve  Europe 
in  war. 

September  2nd. — During  the  morning  we  were  occupied  in 
examining  numerous  papers  and  documents  referring  to  the 
Mission,  while  Lady  Montefiore  amused  herself  by  taking 
daguerreotype  views  of  Cleopatra's  Needle. 

September  yd. — Sir  Moses  went  this  morning  on  board  the 
Turkish  steamer,  Bird-of-the-Sea,  Rifaat  Bey  having  invited  him 
to  a  dejeuner  he  was  giving  to  Admiral  Stopford  and  Saeed  Bey 
on  board  that  vessel.  The  guests  included  Captains  Fisher  and 
Austin,  Colonel  Hodges,  Count  Medem,  Monsieur  de  Wagner. 
Monsieur  Laurin,  Mr  Alison,  Mr  Stoddard,  and  others.  The 
wind  was  so  high  that  the  Admiral  could  scarcely  get  to  the 
ship.  While  they  were  at  breakfast  Saeed  Bey  invited  Admiral 
Stopford  and  Sir  Moses  to  go  over  his  corvette.  The  latter, 
with  Captains  Fisher  and  Austin  and  Colonel  Hodges,  accom- 
panied the  Admiral  in  his  boat  after  they  had  taken  leave  of 
Rifaat  Bey,  and  all  went  on  board  the  corvette.  Saeed  Bey 
received  the  party  in  a  distinguished  manner ;  he  took  them 
over  the  vessel,  and  made  his  men  go  through  their  exercises 
with  great  guns  and  small  arms.  Sir  Moses  then  landed  with 
the  Admiral,  and  drove  him  to  Colonel  Hodges. 

September  ^th. — The  French  papers  continued  very  warlike, 
and  great  demonstrations  had  been  made  in  France. 

Sir  Moses  and  Monsieur  Cremieux  decided  that  we  should  go 
next  evening  to  present  the  letter  they  had  prepared  to  the 
Pasha.  Should  the  English  Consul  leave  Egypt,  Sir  Moses 
thought  that  it  would  be  useless  for  us  to  remain  there  any 
longer.  Dr  Madden  informed  Sir  Moses  that  he  would  be 
obliged  to  leave  us  on  the  following  Monday. 

September  yh.— We  called  on  Colonel  Hodges,  and  saw 
Admiral  Stopford  ;  the  latter  supposed  our  going  to  Damascus 
was  out  of  the  question.  Sir  Moses  told  him  that  he  should 
remain  a  short  time  longer  at  Alexandria,  unless  the  British 
Consul  left,  in  which  case  we  should  leave  also. 

Rifaat  Bey  (Conseilleur  d'  Etat  au  de"partement  de  1'  interieur) 


Extracts  from  Diary.  255 

paid  us  a  visit  previous  to  his  departure;  also  Mr  Charles  Alison, 
Attache  to  Her  Britannic  Majesty's  Embassy  at  Constantinople  ; 
also  Captain  Austen  and  Lieutenant  Ralph,  R.N. 

Mr  Alison  had  been  present  at  the  interview  with  the  Pasha's 
Minister.  The  Pasha  being  ill,  could  not  see  the  four  Ministers, 
but  had  sent  his  answer.  "  He  accepted  the  Sovereignty  of 
Egypt,  and  would  petition  the  Sultan  for  Syria." 

This  was  virtually  a  refusal,  but  the  Consuls  did  not  intend 
striking  their  flags. 

The  Admiral  went  on  board  this  morning.  At  five  we 
walked  in  the  square  and  met  Colonel  Hodges.  From  his  con- 
versation he  expected  the  Pasha  would  order  them  to  quit  Egypt 
in  about  a  week.  He  told  Sir  Moses  the  Admiral  had  left  him 
the  Cyclops,  and  that  he  was  going  in  her,  on  the  following 
Monday,  to  Beyrout. 

September  6th. — We  called  on  Colonel  Hodges.  Sir  Moses 
told  him  that  he  had  determined  to  leave  as  soon  as  the  Colonel 
should  do  so.  Colonel  Hodges  said  he  was  going  on  the  follow- 
ing day  for  a  few  days  to  Beyrout,  but  assured  Sir  Moses  he  need 
be  under  no  apprehensions  ;  there  would  be  no  hostilities  till  the 
Admiral  received  orders  from  England,  which  he  did  not  expect 
for  another  fortnight ;  and  that  if  he  (Colonel  Hodges)  should 
be  obliged  to  leave,  he  would  give  Sir  Moses  timely  notice,  and' 
both  he  and  Lady  Montefiore  should  go  with  him  in  his  vessel. 
From  his  manner  of  speaking,  we  gathered  that  he  expected  an 
outbreak  in  Syria,  but  no  direct  attack  on  the  part  of  the  English; 
Admiral  Stopford  had  told  him  that  we  were  by  no  means  pre- 
pared ;  the  ministers  had  been  much  deceived. 

The  letter  to  the  Pasha  could  not  be  presented  that  day. 

September  ft/i. — We  met  Colonel  Hodges ;  he  told  us  that 
the  Pasha  had  seized  ;£6ooo  in  bullion,  British  property,  and  if 
it  was  not  given  up  to-morrow  morning,  he  would  strike  his  flag 
and  go  on  board  ship.  He  told  Sir  Moses  that  he  must  be  pre- 
pared to  leave  at  a  moment's  notice,  and  that  he  had  spoken  to 
Captain  Fisher  of  the  Asia,  who  had  kindly  promised  to  take  us 
in  his  ships  in  the  event  of  our  being  obliged  to  leave. 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

1840. 

INTERVIEW  WITH  THE  PASHA— LIBERATION  OF  THE  JEWS  OF 
DAMASCUS— PUBLIC  REJOICINGS  AND  THANKSGIVNIG — 
DEPARTURE  OF  SIR  MOSES  FOR  CONSTANTINOPLE. 

WE  arranged  with  Monsieur  Cremieux  to  go  to-morrow  to 
the  Pasha  and  present  our  letter. 

September  Wi. — We  drove  this  morning  to  Mohharem  Bey's 
garden,  where  the  Pasha  is  staying.  We  found  him  in  the 
garden,  with  his  Admiral,  also  Anastasi,  the  Turkish  Consul,  and 
Mr  Tibaldi.  He  desired  us  to  be  seated.  Sir  Moses  the.n  said 
to  him,  "We  come  to  offer  to  your  Highness  our  thanks,"  and 
presented  to  him  the  letter,  to  which  we  had  added  the  request 
to  abolish  the  use  of  torture.  There  was  a  Turkish  translation 
affixed  to  the  letter.  The  Pasha  gave  the  letter  to  one  of  his 
officers,  who  put  it  in  his  pocket  ;  but  on  Sir  Moses  express- 
ing a  desire  that  the  Pasha  should  have  it  read,  he  took  it  him- 
self and  appeared  to  read  several  lines,  when  one  of  his  secre- 
taries came  and  read  the  whole  to  him.  We  remained  some 
moments  in  silence.  Mr  Tibaldi  then  told  Sir  Moses  that  the 
Pasha  had  been  pleased  to  give  him  a  granite  column  from  the 
ancient  temple  of  Serapis  in  Alexandria.  Sir  Moses  thanked  His 
Highness  in  suitable  terms. 

After  waiting  some  time  in  silence,  the  Pasha  having  twice 
looked  at  his  watch,  we  took  our  leave  without  having  uttered 
a  single  sentence  on  the  principal  subject  of  our  visit.  Sir  Moses 
was  much  out  of  spirits.  On  our  return  we  went  to  Colonel 
Hodges,  who  said  that  Boghoz  Bey  had  refused  to  give  up  the 
bullion  seized  on  the  previous  day,  but  added  that  he  should  go 
himself  to  the  Pasha,  and  if  it  was  not  restored  in  twenty-four 
hours,  he  would  strike  his  flag  and  go  on  board  the  Asia,  and 
would  take  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  "Montefiore  with  him.  Sir  Moses 
hoped  the  Pasha  would  not  hasten  his  ruin  by  his  rashness. 
Colonel  Hodges  replied  that  he  was  already  ruined ;  he  had  been 


Visit  Colonel  Hodges.  257 

declared  a  rebel  by  the  Sultan ;  another  Pasha  had  been  appointed 
for  Egypt  and  one  for  Syria ;  and  the  Russian  fleet  with  the 
Russian  troops  was  already  moving.  This  news  the  Colonel  had 
received  from  Constantinople.  Sir  Moses  begged  him,  should 
any  vessel  be  going  to  that  city,  to  procure  a  passage  for  us  ;  this 
he  promised  to  do. 

Sir  Moses  was  now  anxious  to  leave  Egypt,  thinking  he 
could  do  no  more  good  there. 

September  Qth. — Monsieur  Cremieux  came  in  the  morning 
to  ascertain  Sir  Moses'  intentions,  as  he  wished  to  go  on  the 
following  Monday  to  Cairo,  and  should  Sir  Moses  decide  to 
remain  in  Egypt,  he  would  go  to  Thebes.  Sir  Moses  suggested 
taking  three  days'  time  for  consideration. 

September  \o>th. — We  called  on  Colonel  Hodges.  The  Pasha 
had  not  yet  given  up  the  bullion ;  the  Colonel  said  he  should 
write  to  him  the  same  evening  at  five,  and  send  at  eight 
the  next  day  for  an  answer,  and  should  tell  him  that  unless 
he  received  satisfaction  he  should  strike  his  flag  and  embark, 
leaving  the  English  under  the  protection  of  the  Dutch  Consul. 
Colonel  Hodges  had  already  sent  on  board  several  camel-loads 
of  books,  papers,  &c.  Sir  Moses  felt  confident  that  the  Colonel 
would  soon  follow,  whether  the  Pasha  gave  up  the  money  or 
not,  and  believed  the  best  thing  for  us  to  do  would  be  to  go  by 
the  next  French  packet,  which  would  leave  Alexandria  on  the 
1 6th,  pass  the  quarantine  at  Syra,  and  afterwards  proceed  to 
Constantinople,  thank  the  Sultan  for  all  he  had  done  in  the  affair 
of  Rhodes,  and  then,  should  the  state  of  Syra  permit,  go  to 
Damascus,  and  failing  this,  to  return  via  Vienna  to  England. 

September  \\th. — Again  visited  Colonel  Hodges.  He  still 
talked  of  embarking,  but  advised  us  to  wait  for  the  French 
steamers,  and  if  it  should  still  be  our  intention  to  visit  Damascus 
before  leaving  the  East,  he  would  recommend  our  making 
quarantine  at  Syra,  thence  to  proceed  to  Constantinople,  and 
await  events.  "  It  would  be  madness,"  he  added,  "  to  go  now 
to  Damascus.  I  will  hold  myself  responsible  for  the  advice  I 
now  give." 

Saturday,  September  \ith. — Attended  divine  service,  after- 
wards called  on  the  Spiritual  Head  of  the  congregation,  who 
showed  us  his  large  and  valuable  library.  Later  in  the  day 
Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  received  many  visitors:  two 
I.  R 


258       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

gentlemen  from  Salonica  especially  interested  them  in  their 
accounts  of  communal  matters  in  that  city.  They  informed  us 
that  there  were  about  five  thousand  Jewish  families,  and  they 
possessed  thirty-six  Synagogues,  and  fifty-six  colleges  for  the 
study  of  Hebrew  and  theological  literature,  and  over  one  thousand 
gentlemen  were  distinguished  for  their  knowledge  of  Hebrew. 
They  had  suffered  greatly  by  the  fire  which  had  broken  out  (in 
the  previous  year)  in  their  city,  and  had  destroyed  over  two 
thousand  houses  belonging  to  the  Jews. 

Our  dinner  party  on  that  day  included  Colonel  Hodges,  Mon- 
sieur Laurin,  Captain  and  Mrs  Lyons,  Mr  Paton,  Mr  Stoddart, 
Mr  Drummond  Hay,  and  Monsieur  and  Madame  Cremieux. 
Colonel  Hodges  said  he  had  given  the  Pasha  time  till  Monday  at 
twelve  o'clock  for  his  reply,  failing  to  receive  which  he  would 
strike  his  flag.  Sir  Moses  informed  Monsieur  Cremieux  that  he 
•felt  convinced  of  the  impossibility  of  obtaining  anything  more 
from  the  Pasha,  owing  to  the  present  serious  state  of  politics. 
The  Consuls,  he  said,  were  making  every  preparation  for  leaving 
Alexandria,  and  as  our  proceeding  to  Damascus  at  that  time 
was  considered  to  be  not  only  a  most  rash  and  unwarrantable  act, 
but  almost  an  impossibility,  he  was  of  opinion  that  we  should 
proceed  to  Constantinople,  and  there  await  a  favourable  change 
in  politics.  Should  Damascus  hereafter  belong  to  the  Sultan, 
then  to  request  from  him  the  same  justice  for  the  Jews  of  that 
city  as  he  had  afforded  to  those  of  Rhodes,  but  if  Damascus 
continued  under  the  Pasha,  then  we  should  be  forced  to  return 
to  Egypt  and  thence  to  Damascus,  and  should  then,  if  politics 
still  continued  unsettled,  return  to  Europe. 

Monsieur  Cremieux  agreed  with  Sir  Moses,  and  said  he  would 
go  to  Constantinople,  but  first  to  Cairo.  He  then  proposed 
to  Sir  Moses  to  build  an  hospital  for  the  Jews  in  Cairo,  as  he 
(Monsieur  Cre'mieux)  intended  building  a  house  there  for  school 
purposes,  having  in  hand  one  thousand  ducats  from  the  Baroness 
de  Rothschild  in  Paris  for  that  purpose.  Sir  Moses,  however, 
did  not  feel  justified  in  spending  large  sums  in  Egypt.  "  Were 
it  for  the  Holy  Land,"  he  said,  "  I  should  be  delighted  to 
establish  both  hospital  and  school." 

September  i^th. — It  was  reported  that  St  Jean  d'Acre  was 
being  bombarded  by  the  English  fleet ;  everything  looked  most 
threatening.  We  met  Colonel  Hodges,  who  was  hourly  ex- 


Liberation  of  the  Jews  at  Damascus.  259 

pecting  to  receive  orders  from  Constantinople  to  quit  Egypt. 
A  Russian  and  an  Austrian  ship  of  war  had  arrived.  The 
French  steamer  due  that  morning  had  not  arrived  ;  they  said  it 
had  been  detained  at  Syra  for  the  mail  from  Constantinople. 

September  \^th. — We  were  caused  much  anxiety  by  the 
absence  of  any  account  from  Damascus,  and  by  hearing  that 
Mohhammad  AH  had  had  a  despatch  from  Sherif  Pasha,  stating 
that  he  had  received  His  Highness'  orders  for  the  liberation  of 
the  Jews,  but  without  further  notice  of  it.  Monsieur  Cochelet, 
we  were  told,  had  had  a  letter  from  Rattimenton,  violently  ex- 
claiming against  the  Viceroy's  order,  by  which  he  had  been 
compromised,  adding  that  he  had  warmly  protested  to  Sherif 
Pasha  against  his  complying  with  His  Highness'  order.  But 
soon  after  this,  writes  Sir  Moses,  "Thanks  to  Heaven,  this 
day  has  happily  put  an  end  to  our  fears  for  the  delay  of  the 
execution  of  the  Pasha's  firman.  We  have  received  letters  that 
all  the  Jews  were  liberated  on  the  5th  inst,  in  the  most  gracious 
manner,  by  Sherif  Pasha,  to  the  great  joy,  not  only  of  the  Jews 
of  Damascus,  but  also  of  all  the  Mussulmans  of  that  city.  The 
unfortunate  men  were  accompanied  by  bands  of  music,  and 
thousands  of  persons,  Jews  and  Moslems.  They  first  went  to 
Synagogue  to  return  thanks  for  their  delivery,  and  then  to 
their  respective  dwellings.  All  the  distinguished  Mussulman 
merchants  paid  them  visits  of  congratulation,  expressing  their 
firm  belief  in  their  innocence.  The  Christians  maintained 
silence,  denoting  thereby  their  dissatisfaction  at  the  justice 
of  the  Pasha.  The  blood  of  the  four  unhappy  men  who  have 
died  under  torture  has  not  been  sufficient  to  satisfy  these  people. 
The  suffering  of  the  Jews  appears  to  have  been  unbounded,  as 
is  their  gratitude  to  God  for  their  deliverance." 

The  copy  of  the  Pasha's  order,  which  we  sent  by  a  courier 
with  our  letters  to  the  prisoners,  had  not  arrived  on  the  7th  when 
the  mail  left.  We  were  all  anxious  for  news  from  the  unfor- 
tunate men  themselves,  but  as  we  knew  that  all  were  at  liberty, 
Sir  Moses  considered  that  no  further  good  could  be  achieved  by 
remaining  in  Egypt.  Syria  was  in  a  state  of  revolt,  and  the  post 
between  Beyrout  and  Damascus  closed.  The  British  Consul, 
with  all  the  other  European  Consuls,  excepting  the  French,  had 
left  Beyrout,  and  were  on  board  the  ships  of  war.  Commodore 
JSTapier  had  given  notice  that  he  should  bombard  the  town  on 


260      Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

the  following  day.  Monsieur  Cochelet,  we  were  told,  had  heard 
accounts  of  several  thousand  men  having  been  landed  from  the 
fleet  between  Beyrout  and  Sidon  ;  no  action  had,  however,  as 
yet  taken  place.  Sulieman  Pasha  had  declared  he  would  de- 
stroy Beyrout,  though  he  should  be  compelled  to  withdraw  his 
troops. 

September  i6t/i. — Sir  Moses  writes  in  his  diary:  "I  sent  to 
Monsieur  Cremieux,  but  he  and  Madame  Cremieux,  with  Mon- 
sieur Munk  and  Signer  Morpurgo,  had  already  left  for  Cairo. 
Mr  Wire,  Dr  Loewe,  and  I  went  to  Mohhammad  Bey's  palace. 
He  is  the  son-in-law  of  Mohhammad  Ali.  We  entered  the 
garden.  As  soon  as  the  Pasha  saw  us  he  beckoned  me  to  ap- 
proach him.  He  was  seated  in  a  kiosk.  Boufort,  the  interpreter, 
was  translating  to  him  one  of  Galignani's  papers.  On  our 
entering  the  kiosk,  he  motioned  me  to  be  seated.  I  took  my 
seat  opposite  him,  Dr  Loewe  next  to  me,  and  Mr  Wire  next  to 
the  doctor.  I  informed  the  Pasha  that  we  had  received  letters 
from  Damascus,  and  that,  agreeably  to  his  orders,  the  Jews  had 
been  honourably  liberated  by  Sherif  Pasha  on  Saturday,  Septem- 
ber 5th.  The  Mussulman  population  had  expressed  much  joy 
on  the  occasion.  They  had  accompanied  the  unfortunate  men, 
when  liberated,  to  the  Synagogue,  and  the  Jews  had  thrown 
themselves  on  the  ground  before  the  Holy  Ark,  blessing  the  God 
of  Israel  for  their  deliverance  from  the  hands  of  their  persecutors, 
and  praying  for  the  happiness  of  His  Highness,  whose  justice 
and  humanity  had  restored  them  with  honour  to  liberty.  I  also 
told  the  Pasha  how  they  had  been  visited  and  congratulated  by 
all  the  Mussulmans  of  Damascus,  who  confidently  believed  in 
their  innocence.  Mohhammad  Ali  replied  he  was  glad  to  hear 
it,  and  informed  me  that  he  had  received  letters  from  Sherif 
Pasha  with  the  same  intelligence,  and  also  that  the  Jews  who 
had  fled  from  the  city  had  returned.  This  we  did  not  know.  I 
expressed  much  gratitude  to  His  Highness  for  his  humanity, 
and  entreated  him  to  protect  my  brethren  in  his  dominion.  I 
also  said  that  as  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  go  to  Damascus  at 
present,  I  intended  returning  to  Europe,  and  therefore  begged  to 
take  leave  of  His  Highness ;  but  before  doing  so  I  hoped  he 
would  allow  me  to  speak  a  few  words  in  favour  of  the  poor  Jews 
who  had  suffered  by  pillage  at  Safed,  and  that  he  would  graciously 
make  them  compensation.  He  replied  he  would  see  ;  he  would 


Visits  the  Palace  of  S deed  Bey.  261 

do  it.  I  again  repeated  my  thanks,  and  rose  to  leave,  but  he 
motioned  me  to  remain.  In  a  few  moments  he  beckoned  me  to 
come  quite  close  to  him,  which  I  did.  He  then  said  that  he  fre- 
quently gave  orders  for  ships,  guns,  and  other  things  to  be  sent 
from  England,  that  six  months  elapsed  before  they  were  ready 
to  be  shipped,  and  that  as  I  was  going  there  he  would  like  to 
make  some  arrangement  with  me  to  guarantee  the  parties,  and 
said  that  I  should  always  have  the  money  before  the  things  were 
shipped.  He  repeated  several  times  that  he  did  not  desire  that 
I  should  ever  be  in  advance,  as  he  would  always  send  the  money 
beforehand.  He  did  not  wish  the  arrangement  to  take  place 
immediately,  but  as  soon  as  affairs  were  settled.  I  told  His 
Highness  that  I  would  consult  with  my  friends  in  England,  and 
would  write  to  him  as  soon  as  I  got  back  to  London ;  he  ex- 
pressed his  satisfaction,  and  we  retired. 

"  I  have  omitted  to  notice  that  I  gave  Mohhammad  Ali  a 
copy  of  Dr  Hirschel's  letter  to  me,  respecting  the  charge  brought 
against  the  Jews  of  using  blood  in  their  religious  ceremonies.  I 
gave  him  copies  of  the  same  in  Turkish  and  French ;  he  looked 
at  them,  and  promised  to  read  them. 

"  We  then  went  to  the  Palace  of  Saeed  Bey.  Mr  Thurburn 
was  with  him.  '  Excellency,'  I  said,  '  I  have  come  to  take  leave 
of  you  previous  to  my  return  to  Europe,'  and  repeated  to  him 
all  the  accounts  we  had  from  Damascus.  He  -was  very  civil  to 
us,  and  invited  us  to  take  wine  and  coffee,  but,  being  much 
pressed  for  time,  we  declined.  I  said  I  hoped  to  see  him  in 
London.  He  replied  that  as  soon  as  affairs  were  settled  he  should 
travel,  and  would  certainly  pay  us  a  visit.  We  then  took  leave 
of  Count  Medem,  the  Russian  Consul.  He  congratulated  me  on 
the  success  of  our  Mission,  having  attained  all  that  was  possible 
in  the  present  unfortunate  state  of  affairs.  I  told  him  I  was ' 
most  anxious  to  visit  Damascus,  to  trace  the  whole  transaction 
respecting  the  charges  against  the  Jews.  He  said  it  was  quite 
impossible  to  go  just  now,  the  country  was  in  revolt ;  Beyrout 
was  threatened  with  bombardment,  and  all  accommodation  for 
travellers  stopped. 

"  We  next  went  to  Monsieur  de  Wagner,  the  Prussian  Con- 
sul (who  expressed  the  same  opinion),  and  to  Colonel  Hodges 
and  Monsieur  Laurin,  expressing  to  both  our  sincere  thanks  for 
what  they  had  done  in  favour  of  the  Jews  in  Damascus,  Safed, 
and  the  Holy  Land  in  general." 


262       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

September  17 th. — We  embarked  in  one  of  the  Pasha's  large 
boats,  being  escorted  to  the  water  side  by  three  janissaries,  and 
were  safely  on  board  the  Leonidas  at  3  P.M. 

September  \$>th. —  We  are  detained  in  the  harbour  for  des- 
patches. 

Mr  Reinlin,  the  Dutch  Vice  Consul,  came  on  board  with 
letters.  He  went  with  me  into  our  berth,  and  informed  me  that 
news  had  been  received  last  night  from  Bey  rout ;  the  English 
had  entirely  destroyed  that  town,  and  had  landed  two  thousand 
English  and  four  thousand  Turks.  The  French  Consul  had 
taken  a  house  in  a  garden  about  a  mile  out  of  town,  with  the 
French  flag  flying  on  it,  nevertheless  four  cannon  balls  had 
struck  the  house.  Ibrahim  Pasha  was  at  Beyrout,  and  Suleiman 
Pasha  was  in  the  neighbourhood. 

At  10  A.M.,  the  anchor  being  weighed,  we  started,  and  were 
soon  safely  out  of  the  port.  "  Then,"  Sir  Moses  writes  in  his 
Diary,  "  we  sang  the  'Song  of  Moses,'  and  with  joy  and  thanks, 
left  the  land  of  Egypt." 

September  2ist. —  After  eighty  hours  at  sea,  with  a  strong 
north  wind,  we  arrived  at  five  in  the  morning  at  Syra.  The 
captain  and  the  surgeon  went  on  shore  with  letters  and  des- 
patches; they  soon  returned.  When  a  boat  with  the  health 
officers  came  alongside,  we  learned  to  our  great  dismay  that  we 
had  a  man  dangerously  ill  on  board.  The  officers  insisted  on* 
seeing  him.  The  poor  man  was  carried  on  deck  with  much 
difficulty ;  they  asked  him  many  questions,  but  he  was  so  weak 
that  he  could  scarcely  answer.  The  officers  then  left  us,  ta 
make  their  report  to  their  superior  ;  they  did  not  know  whether 
we  should  be  allowed  to  go  that  night  into  the  Lazaretto.  This 
was  a  serious  matter,  as  the  Leonidas  was  to  start  at  twelve  for 
Alexandria.  Our  ship  was  soon  surrounded  with  boats,  occupied 
by  Turks,  male  and  female,  with  their  luggage,  who  had  secured 
their  berths  for  Alexandria.  The  captain  would  not  allow  them 
or  their  luggage  to  be  received  on  board  till  he  had  got  rid  of 
those  he  had  brought  with  him.  The  noise  and  confusion  that 
arose  in  consequence  were  dreadful.  It  was  nearly  nine  o'clock 
when  permission  arrived  for  our  leaving  the  ship  for  the  Laza- 
retto ;  the  captain  put  us  in  his  long  boat.  It  was  blowing 
hard,  the  sea  was  rough,  and  the  night  very  dark. 

Sir  Moses  was  dreadfully  uneasy,  but  there  was  no  choice. 


In  the  Lazaretto.  263 

We  all  went  in  the  same  boat,  which  was  long  and  narrow.  It 
was  half-an-hour  before  we  reached  the  landing  place,  and  it  was 
not  without  great  difficulty  that  we  scrambled  up  the  rocks  in 
the  dark. 

On  getting  into  the  Lazaretto  we  found  that  the  guardian 
and  officers  had  left  for  the  night,  and  there  were  but  two 
miserably  dark  rooms  for  the  whole  party.  We  were  told  to 
make  the  best  we  could  of  them  for  the  night.  All  our  luggage 
had  been  left  at  the  water's  edge,  and  there  was  not  a  soul  to 
assist  in  bringing  it  to  the  Lazaretto.  After  much  time  and 
trouble,  our  servants  got  one  bedstead  and  mattress  for  Sir 
Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore;  and  a  few  mattresses  for  the  rest 
of  our  party. 

In  our  small  room,  more  than  nine  of  us,  including  a  Greek 
lady,  her  servant  and  one  child,  had  to  remain  the  whole  night ; 
the  servants  and  all  other  passengers  were  obliged  to  manage  as 
they  could  in  the  other  room. 

After  a  night  passed  with  little  or  no  sleep,  we  rose  from  our 
weary  couches.  Mr  Ralli,  the  son-in-law  of  Mr  Wilkinson, 
called.  He  had  procured  us  an  order  from  the  Superintendent 
of  the  Lazaretto,  giving  us  the  apartments  set  aside  for  noble- 
men. We  were  soon  admitted  to  them.  They  were  very  com- 
fortable rooms,  beautifully  situated,  commanding  a  fine  view  of 
the  town  and  port.  They  were  quite  empty,  but  our  servants 
soon  brought  up  our  bedsteads  and  camp-stools,  and  we  hired 
two  or  three  tables,  which  was  all  we  required.  Being  informed 
that  we  might  shorten  our  confinement  by  five  days,  if  we  and 
our  servants  took  a  bath  and  changed  all  our  clothes,  and  had 
all  our  luggage  fumigated,  we  readily  consented.  By  two  o'clock, 
all  our  boxes  having  been  opened,  and  the  contents  spread  over 
the  room  and  hung  up  on  lines,  dishes  with  pots  of  burning 
sulphur  were  placed  in  each  room,  and  the  doors  kept  closed  for 
half-an-hour.  In  the  meantime  we  took  a  bath  and  changed 
every  article  of  dress. 

Sir  Moses  put  the  whole  quarantine  into  confusion,  and 
compelled  a  repetition  of  the  fumigating  ceremony,  by  inadvert- 
ently putting  his  finger  on  the  wrapper  which  contained  Lady 
Montefiore's  dress.  This  caused  much  vexation  to  all  the 
"  guardiani "  and  ourselves.  However,  the  fumigation  was  per- 


264       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

formed  once  more,  and  by  four  o'clock  the  whole  ceremony  was 
ended. 

September  28th  being  the  first  day  of  the  Jewish  New  Year, 
we  all  met  early  in  the  morning,  and  read  the  service  appointed 
for  the  day.  It  was  nearly  twelve  before  we  breakfasted.  The 
afternoon  we  spent  in  reading  subjects  connected  with  Hebrew 
literature.  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  spent  a  most  happy 
day,  and  said  they  had  only  felt  the  want  of  their  Synagogue 
and  of  the  society  of  their  relatives. 

The  physician  paid  us  a  visit  on  the  same  day,  and  said  we 
might,  if  we  pleased,  go  out  of  quarantine  on  the  morrow.  He 
enquired  if  we  were  all  well,  then  desired  us  to  strike  our  fists 
under  each  arm  and  other  parts  of  the  body.  Having  seen 
this  ceremony  performed,  he  made  his  tour  round  the  Lazaretto. 
We  were  much  amused  at  seeing  him  go  through  the  same 
ceremony  with  more  than  one  hundred  persons,  who  were  to 
leave  the  next  day. 

The  following  day,  being  the  ninth  day  of  our  quarantine, 
and  having  performed  the  "  Spoglio "  the  morning  after  our 
arrival,  we  could  have  received  pratique  this  morning ;  but  as 
we  were  most  comfortable,  Sir  Moses  requested  to  be  allowed 
to  remain  till  Thursday.  We  received  the  greatest  kindness 
from  all  the  officers  of  the  quarantine,  who  came  frequently  to 
enquire  if  they  could  do  anything  to  promote  the  comfort  of 
Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore.  We  all  quitted  the  Lazaretto 
on  the  1st  of  October,  grateful  to  the  Almighty  for  permitting 
us  to  pass  the  ten  days  we  spent  there  so  pleasantly.  We 
walked  to  the  town,  which  was  built  round  the  bay,  nearly 
opposite  the  Lazaretto.  The  road  was  very  rough,  and  Sir 
Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  were  extremely  fatigued  by  the 
walk. 

Syra  was  very  gay ;  the  town  was  thronged  with  well-dressed 
people,  as  the  King  and  Queen  were  expected  that  day  from 
Athens.  On  the  wharf,  which  was  strewn  with  laurel,  there 
were  some  four  hundred  little  boys  and  girls  dressed  in  white 
with  blue  ribbons,  some  of  them  carrying  branches  of  laurel, 
and  others  the  Greek  flag.  It  was  four  o'clock  when  the  first 
cannon  announced  the  arrival  of  the  steamboat  with  the  King 
and  Queen  on  board.  From  Terenzio  House,  where  we  were 
accommodated,  we  had  a  good  view  of  them  as  the}-  landed. 


Leave  Syr  a  for  Smyrna.  265 

The  King  was  dressed  in  a  Greek  uniform,  and  the  Queen  in 
Western  costume  To  our  great  disappointment,  the  steamer 
which  was  to  take  us  to  Constantinople  had  not  arrived,  and  at 
Syra  we  could  not  even  find  a  room  to  pass  the  night,  so  that 
we  were  compelled  to  return  to  the  Lazaretto.  Lady  Monte- 
fiore  was  most  fatigued  and  poorly,  and  quite  happy  when  she 
could  throw  herself  on  the  ground  with  the  luxury  of  a  mattress. 

We  received  an  invitation  from  the  Governor  of  the  town  to 
a  grand  ball  to  be  given  to  the  King  and  Queen.  The  next 
morning  at  five  o'clock  we  were  informed  that  the  Mentor  had 
not  yet  arrived,  but  about  two  hours  later  we  ascertained  that 
she  had  come  into  port  in  the  night.  We  lost  no  time  in  pre- 
paring to  embark,  and  before  eight  again  took  leave  of  the 
Lazaretto,  very  thankful  for  the  accommodation  it  had  afforded 
us.  At  eight  we  were  on  board,  but  it  was  nearly  twelve  before 
we  started.  We  expected  to  reach  Smyrna  towards  noon  on 
the  following  day,  but  not  to  be  able  to  land,  as  it  would  be  our 
Sabbath. 

We  entered  the  harbour  of  Smyrna  on  the  3rd  October.  Sir 
Moses  received  immediately  a  large  number  of  letters  and  visits 
from  the  heads  of  the  congregation  and  principal  inhabitants, 
all  offering  their  services.  The  Dutch  Consul  spoke  .much  of 
the  sad  state  of  the  Jews  at  Smyrna,  and  requested  Sir  Moses' 
intercession  on  their  behalf. 


CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

1840. 

CONSTANTINOPLE — CONDITION  OF  THE  JEWISH  RESIDENTS- 
INTERVIEW  WITH  RECHID  PASHA — AUDIENCE  WITH  THE 
SULTAN — HE  GRANTS  A  FIRMAN. 

FROM  Smyrna  we  went  to  Constantinople.  Of  our  arrival 
in  that  place  Sir  Moses  gives  the  following  account  :-— 

"  Constantinople,  October  ^yth.  —  The  appearance  of  the  city 
was  most  beautiful  from  the  steamboat ;  we  anchored  at  half- past 
eleven.  Many  persons  came  on  board  to  welcome  us,  including 
Monsieur  Commundo,  who  had  prepared  one  of  his  houses  for 
us.  Lady  Montefiore  and  Mr  Wire  went  there  immediately.  Dr 
Loewe  and  I,  accompanied  by  Mr  Nugent,  a  Queen's  messenger, 
who  had  special  despatches  for  Lord  Ponsonby,  started  for 
Terapia,  and  were  allowed  to  leave  the  vessel  at  once.  It  took 
two  hours  to  row  there,  the  current  being  very  strong.  On 
reaching  Terapia  we  went  to  Lord  Ponsonby's,  and  found  that 
he  was  out.  Mr  Nugent  remained,  but  we  returned.  There 
was  a  strong  wind  blowing  against  the  current,  which  made  a 
heavy  sea.  I  passed  two  hours  in  the  utmost  anxiety,  and 
would  gladly  have  landed  and  walked  back,  but  it  was  impos- 
sible ;  we  should  not  have  found  our  way.  At  last  we  landed 
safely,  but  our  troubles  were  not  over.  We  had  the  greatest 
difficulty  in  finding  Monsieur  Commundo's  house.  We  found 
two  Germans  in  a  little  tailor's  shop,  and  they  became  our 
guides.  I  found  my  dear  Judith  in  a  state  of  great  anxiety 
on  our  account.  It  being  between  seven  and  eight  before  we 
arrived,  they  had  sent  in  every  direction  after  us ;  however,  we 
sat  down  to  a  good  supper,  and  soon  forgot  our  troubles." 

The  day  after  our  arrival  the  Spiritual  Heads  of  the  Hebrew 
communities,  accompanied  by  several  of  their  members,  came  ta 
pay  their  respects  to  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore,  and  to- 
invite  them  to  attend  divine  service  in  one  of  their  Synagogues 


At  Constantinople.  267 

on  the  Day  of  Atonement,  which  commenced  the  same  evening, 
an  invitation  which  was  accepted. 

During  the  whole  of  the  following  day  (the  Day  of  Atone- 
ment) Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  remained  in  Synagogue, 
returning  in  the  evening  at  the  conclusion  of  the  service,  accom- 
panied by  many ,  members  of  the  congregation.  They  were 
preceded  by  two  men  bearing  two  large  wax  candles,  which  had 
been  lighted  in  the  Synagogue  the  evening  before.  They  received 
a  hearty  welcome  from  their  host,  Monsieur  Commundo,  and, 
having  broken  their  fast,  soon  retired  to  rest. 

October  8//z.  — -Signor  Commundo,  with  his  wife,  two  sons,  and 
a  daughter,  paid  us  a  visit  in  the  morning.  The  little  girl,  a 
lovely  child  about  seven  years  of  age,  was  already  engaged,  as 
well  as  the  two  boys,  aged  nine  and  ten  respectively,  both  hand- 
some, intelligent  lads.  It  reminded  Sir  Moses  of  what  he  had 
once  found  fault  with  when  at  Haifa.  Certain  allowances,  however, 
must  be  made  for  the  peculiarities  of  the  East.  Turkey  would 
certainly  not  yield  in  this  respect  to  any  remonstrances.  We 
called  on  the  British  Consul  General,  and  in  the  evening  Sir  Moses 
received  a  deputation  from  the  European  Hebrew  community ; 
they  spoke  much  of  the  necessity  for  an  hospital  and  schools. 

October  gth. — We  set  off  to  the  Porte  to-day,  as  soon  as  our 
visitors  had  left,  with  the  intention  of  going  later  on  to  Terapia 
to  see  Lord  Ponsonby.  After  rowing  nearly  two  hours  and  a 
half,  we  found  that  it  would  take  us  a  full  hour  longer  to  reach 
our  destination,  and  that,  wind  and  current  being  both  against 
us,  we  should  not  be  able  to  get  back  before  the  Sabbath.  Sir 
Moses,  therefore,  gave  orders  to  return  home. 

Saturday,  October  loth. — We  attended  divine  service  in  a 
very  large  Synagogue ;  all  the  worshippers  appeared  to  be 
natives  of  Turkey.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  service  we  accom- 
panied the  Chief  Rabbi  to  his  house.  He  was  preceded  by  three 
soldiers  and  six  attendants;  on  passing  the  guard-house  we 
found  the  officer  with  his  men  in  front.  They  saluted  him  with 
every  token  of  respect,  as  did  all  the  people  in  the  densely- 
crowded  streets.  His  house  was  full  of  people.  We  partook  of 
some  refreshment,  and  took  leave.  As  we  appeared  again  in 
the  street  we  noticed  a  guard  of  honour  walking  before  us,  and 
an  officer  with  two  soldiers  following  in  the  rear.  Sir  Moses 
wished  them  to  return  after  going  a  few  paces,  but  they  insisted 


268       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

on  accompanying  us  to  the  end  of  the  street,  an  honour  Sir 
Moses  was  but  little  desirous  of  receiving. 

Sunday,  October  \\th. — We  afterwards  went  into  three  large 
and  handsome  Synagogues  in  the  same  quarter ;  adjoining  one 
of  these  we  observed  three  school-rooms,  occupied  by  about 
250  boys.  We  entered  the  school,  and  found  the  boys  divided 
into  three  classes,  their  ages  varying  from  three  to  twelve.  At 
the  request  of  Sir  Moses  I  examined  two  boys.  They  read 
the  Talmud  and  translated  it  into  Spanish  very  fluently.  Sir 
Moses  was  much  pleased.  The  children  all  appeared  to  belong 
to  the  poorest  classes.  We  had  much  difficulty  in  escaping  the 
importunities  of  the  people ;  many  seemed  to  be  in  very  dis- 
tressed circumstances.  In  one  room,  scarcely  six  feet  square, 
we  saw  a  mother  and  five  children. 

October  <\tJi. — An  Austrian  steamer  arrived  in  the  afternoon 
from  Smyrna,  with  an  English  messenger  from  Syria.  It  was 
reported  that  Commodore  Napier  had  concluded  a  treaty  with 
the  Emir  Besheer,  by  which  the  latter  had  engaged  to  join  his 
forces  to  the  Sultan's.  Napier  had  landed  with  his  marines, 
and,  assisted  by  the  Turks  and  the  troops  of  the  Emir,  was  in 
pursuit  of  Ibrahim  Pasha.  Many  of  the  Pasha's  soldiers  had 
joined  the  Sultan's  party. 

October  !$///. — Sir  Moses  went  to  Lord  Ponsonby.  Having 
thanked  him  for  his  great  assistance  in  the  affair  of  the  Jews  at 
Rhodes  and  Damascus,  he  informed  him  that  he  wished  to  have 
an  audience  with  the  Sultan,  to  thank  him  for  his  justice  to  the 
Jews,  to  claim  his  special  protection  for  them  in  all  his  dominions, 
and  to  obtain  from  him  a  declaration  Similar  to  that  made  by 
Selim  the  Second. 

Lord  Ponsonby  said  he  would  give  Sir  Moses  a  letter  of 
introduction  to  Rechid  Pasha,  who  would  perhaps  be  able  to 
forward  his  wishes.  Lord  and  Lady  Ponsonby  then  begged  him 
to  fix  a  day  to  dine  with  them,  and  Sir  Moses  returned,  much 
pleased  with  the  interview. 

The  next  five  days  were  spent  by  Sir  Moses  in  making  him- 
self acquainted  with  the  communal  affairs  of  various  congrega- 
tions. Being  very  anxious  to  assist  them  in  their  endeavours  to 
introduce  improvements  in  their  method  of  education,  he  had 
frequent  communications  with  their  teachers  and  school  com- 
mittees. In  support  of  his  exertions,  at  the  special  request  of 


Interview  with  Rechid  Pasha.  269 

the  ecclesiastical  chief  and  representatives  of  the  congregation, 
I  delivered  an  address  in  one  of  their  large  Synagogues  at 
Galata,  on  the  last  day  of  the  Feast  of  Tabernacles,  the  aim  of 
which  was  to  exhort  the  audience  to  give  more  attention  than 
hitherto  to  the  acquisition  of  a  liberal  education. 

October  22nd.— Mr  George  Samuel,  Mr  Pisani,  Mr  Wire,  and 
myself  accompanied  Sir  Moses  to  an  interview  with  Rechid 
Pasha,  who  received  us  most  kindly.  Sir  Moses  informed  His 
Excellency  that  he  had  come  to  express  his  thanks,  and  those 
of  all  his  co-religionists  in  Europe,  for  the  humanity  and  justice 
which  His  Excellency  and  the  Sultan  had  shown  in  respect  to 
the  affair  at  Rhodes.  The  Pasha  said  he  was  sorry  they  had 
not  been  able  to  do  the  same  at  Damascus.  Sir  Moses  hoped 
that  His  Excellency  would  do  him  and  the  gentlemen  who 
accompanied  him  the  honour  of  introducing  them  to  the  Sultan, 
to  which  he  replied  that  he  thought  it  might  be  done.  Sir 
Moses  then  said  that  formerly  Sultan  Selim  had  issued  a  Hatti- 
Sherif,  declaring  his  conviction  of  the  innocence  of  the  Jews  of 
the  charge  brought  against  them,  and  it  would  be  a  great  satis- 
faction if  the  present  Sultan  would  do  the  same.  Sir  Moses 
had  prepaid  a  paper,  which  he  requested  His  Excelleny  to  hear 
read.  Mr  Pisani  read  it  to  him  in  French  ;  he  thought  it  very 
good,  and  said  it  might  be  done.  Having  had  pipes  and  coffee, 
we  returned  home,  being  engaged  to  dine  with  Lord  Ponsonby. 
We  had  great  difficulty  in  procuring  a  carriage  to  take  us,  and 
at  last  agreed  with  a  man  to  take  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte- 
fiore,  and  fetch  them  back,  for  the  sum  of  ^6  sterling.  It  was 
a  miserable  four-horse  concern.  Mr  Wire  and  I  preferred  riding 
on  horseback. 

It  was  a  most  agreeable  party,  and  we  met  there  several  of 
our  acquaintances.  His  Lordship  spoke  with  Sir  Moses  on  the 
subject  of  a  bank  for  Constantinople,  and  said  he  wished  him 
and  another  gentleman,  whom  he  named,  to  speak  with  Rechid 
Pasha  about  it,  and  he  would  be  present  at  the  interview.  Sir 
Moses  said  he  would  do  so,  but  could  not  say  anything  before 
he  returned  to  England.  On  the  following  day  the  Rev.  Dr 
Samuel  Bennet,  the  Chaplain  of  the  Embassy,  lunched  with  us. 
He  had  just  delivered  an  excellent  sermon  in  favour  of  the 
Jews  in  the  Damascus  affair. 

October  26th. — As  no  appointment  had  been  made,  and  that 


270       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

evening  was  the  commencement  of  the  R£mdzan,  during  which 
month  the  Turks  attend  to  no  business,  Sir  Moses  determined 
to  call  on  Mr  Pisani  to  inquire  if  he  had  heard  from  Rechid 
Pasha.  We  went  accordingly,  and  Mr  Pisani  informed  him 
that  he  had  just  received  a  letter  from  the  Minister  of  Foreign 
Affairs,  acquainting  him  that  the  Sublime  Porte  would  receive  a 
deputation  headed  by  Sir  Moses  Montefiore  on  Wednesday 
evening,  three  hours  after  sunset,  at  the  Palace  of  Beshik  Tash. 
"  How  great  and  good,"  exclaimed  Sir  Moses,  "  is  the  Almighty  ! 
At  the  moment  when  I  most  despaired  of  success,  He  has  granted 
our  petition."  Mr  Pisani  said  he  had  no  doubt  he  should  get 
the  Hatti-Sherif,  but  he  could  not  say  when.  Before  we  reached 
home  it  was  six  o'clock,  and  we  found  by  the  brilliant  illumina- 
tion of  the  minarets  and  mosques  that  the  Ramazan  had  been 
•declared. 

Tuesday,  October  2; 'th. —  In  the  course  of  the  day  the  Haham 
Bashi,  Signer  M.  H.  Fresco,  came  to  Sir  Moses  by  appointment, 
together  with  several  leading  members  of  the  community  and 
the  secretary  of  the  congregation.  Sir  Moses  recommended 
him  to  issue  an  order  that  every  school  should  have  a  well- 
qualified  master,  to  teach  the  children  to  read  and  write  the 
Turkish  language.  Sir  Moses  offered  to  pay  the  first  expenses 
they  would  have  to  incur.  The  Haham  readily  consented. 

An  order  to  that  effect  had  been  drawn  up  in  the  Turkish, 
Spanish,  and  Hebrew  languages,  and  promulgated  all  over  the 
country. 

The  Haham  Bashi  is  the  head  of  all  the  Jews  in  the  Turkish 
Empire,  and  his  decrees  are  law.  Sir  Moses  promised  him  to 
speak  on  the  subject  to  Rechid  Pasha  before  leaving  Con- 
stantinople. 

The  following  is  the  account,  as  given  in  Sir  Moses'  diary, 
of  his  audience  with  the  Sultan  : — 

"  Wednesday,  October  2%tk.— Sir  David  Wilkie,  Mr  Pisani, 
and  George  Samuel  dined  with  us,  and  at  seven  afterwards 
we  set  out.  Our  cavalcade  consisted  of  one  carriage  with  four 
horses,  and  one  with  two  horses,  six  kavasses  or  police  officers, 
•eight  men  carrying  large  wax  torches,  two  horsemen  with  each 
coach,  a  sedan  chair  with  each  coach,  and  three  men  to  close  the 
procession.  As  the  carriages  could  not  drive  up  to  our  door  I 
was  carried  in  a  sedan  chair  to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  the  other 


Audience  with,  the  Sitltan.  271 

gentlemen  walked,  and  I  went  in  the  first  carriage  with  Mr 
Pisani,  the  British  Dragoman ;  George  Samuel,  Mr  Wire,  and 
Dr  Loewe  in  the  second.  I  wore  my  full  uniform.  The  streets 
were  crowded  ;  many  of  the  Jews  had  illuminated  their  houses. 
We  reached  the  Palace  in  rather  less  than  an  hour.  On  de- 
scending from  the  carriages  we  found  in  the  courtyard  a  large 
guard  of  honour,  who  presented  arms.  We  were  shown  into  a 
handsome  drawing-room,  furnished  in  the  European  style.  Two 
magnificent  silver  candlesticks  with  large  wax  candles  stood  on 
the  ground  in  the  centre  of  a  richly  embroidered  velvet  carpet. 
We  had  not  been  seated  two  minutes  when  Rechid  Pasha 
entered  ;  he  was  most  friendly  in  his  manner.  We  were  soon 
joined  by  Riza  Pasha,  and  all  were  served  with  coffee  and  pipes, 
the  mouthpieces  and  bowls  of  the  latter  being  richly  embellished 
with  diamonds. 

"  Rechid  Pasha  asked  me  how  long  I  remained  at  Alexandria, 
how  often  I  had  seen  Mohhammad  AH,  and  how  he  looked  ?  In 
a  few  moments  it  was  announced  that  the  Sultan  was  ready  to 
receive  us.  The  two  Pashas  walked  first,  I  next,  and  the  rest  of 
our  party  followed,  a  large  throng  of  officers  bringing  up  the 
rear. 

"We  crossed  a  garden  about  sixty  yards  in  length,  and 
entered  a  handsome  marble  hall;  having  descended  a  grand 
staircase,  likewise  of  marble,  we  entered  into  the  presence 
chamber. 

"  The  Sultan  was  seated  on  a  sofa,  clad  in  his  cloak  of  state, 
which  was  fastened  at  the  neck  with  two  large  clasps  of  the 
finest  diamonds.  The  cloak  itself  was  of  a  violet  colour,  similar 
in  cut  to  our  own.  He  was  a  good-looking  young  man,  and 
appeared  about  twenty-six  years  of  age,  though  in  reality  but 
nineteen.  The  two  Pashas  took  their  station  on  his  left,  I  and 
my  party  on  his  right.  After  having  received  some  courteous 
signs  of  welcome  from  him,  I  delivered  the  speech  I  had  intended 
to  have  read  to  him,  but  instead  of  reading  it,  I  spoke  it,  as  I  knew 
it  well  by  heart,  and  there  was  not  sufficient  light  to  read  it 
without  spectacles.  I  said  as  follows  : — 

" '  May  it  please  your  Imperial  Majesty, — In  the  name  of  my 
brethren,  who  have  deputed  me,  I  come  to  lay  at  the  foot  of  your 
Imperial  Throne  the  grateful  homage  of  their  respect. 

" '  England,  my  country,  and  other  enlightened  nations  of  the 


272       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

earth,  heard  the  cries  of  the  suffering  and  persecuted  Jews  at 
Damascus  and  at  Rhodes,  and  they  hastened  to  offer  to  the 
sufferers  their  sympathy  and  affection.  But  the  Lord  God,  who 
ruleth  over  all,  prevented  the  necessity  of  their  aid  at  Rhodes, 
and  inspired  your  Imperial  Majesty  with  wisdom,  justice,  and 
the  love  of  truth.  Under  your  righteous  direction  the  oppressor 
was  laid  low,  the  designs  of  the  wicked  made  known,  and  the 
innocent  delivered.  I  therefore  crave  permission  to  offer  to 
your  Imperial  Majesty  the  profound  gratitude  of  the  hearts  of 
our  people,  and  to  utter  our  prayers  that  the  merciful  God  may 
bless  your  Imperial  Majesty  with  length  of  days,  with  wisdom, 
honour,  and  riches,  and  so  direct  all  your  actions,  that  your  name 
may  be  inscribed  in  golden  characters  for  ever,  and  the  memory 
of  your  deeds  smell  as  sweet  as  a  garden  of  roses. 

" '  In  ancient  times  the  Lord  God  brought  our  people  out  of 
Egypt,  and  for  ages  they  dwelt  in  Palestine  ;  to  them  were 
committed  the  oracles  of  God,  and  though  now  dispersed  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth,  they  are  numbered  with  the  most  peace- 
ful and  loyal  subjects,  and  by  their  industry  they  have  augmented 
the  riches  and  prosperity  of  the  countries  in  which  they  live. 

"'They  look  with  love  and  veneration  upon  that  land  where 
their  forefathers  dwelt ;  they  pray  that  all  who  live  therein  may 
enjoy  the  shadow  of  your  sublime  protection,  and  in  peace  be 
permitted  to  worship  the  God  of  their  fathers. 

" '  Their  prayers  ascend  to  Him  whose  wisdom  is  absolute, 
whose  decrees  are  fixed  and  immutable,  whom  none  can  with- 
stand, imploring  that  he  will  make  your  enemies  eat  the  dust, 
that  they  may  vanish  as  the  morning  dew,  and  flee  away  as  chaff 
before  the  wind  ;  that  your  throne  may  endure  for  ever,  and  that 
all  who  live  under  your  sceptre  may  have  peace,  sitting  under 
their  own  vine  and  their  own  fig-tree,  none  daring  or  wishing  to 
make  them  afraid.' 

"  The  Sultan  listened  with  great  attention,  and  as  soon  as  I 
had  finished,  Mr  Pisani  repeated  it  in  Turkish.  The  Sultan 
smiled  whilst  he  was  reading,  and  showed  that  he  well  understood 
the  address  and  was  pleased  with  it.  As  soon  as  Mr  Pisani  had 
concluded,  the  Sultan  fixed  his  eyes  on  me,  and  spoke  in  a  mild 
and  pleasing  voice.  '  I  am  perfectly  satisfied,'  he  said,  '  with  the 
communication  made  and  the  sentiments  expressed  by  the 
deputation. 


Audience  with 'the  Sultan.  273 

" '  I  have  been  affected  by  the  events  which  have  taken  place 
m  Damascus,  but  I  have  endeavoured  to  offer  some  satisfaction 
to  the  Israelitish  nation,  by  giving  orders  that  justice  should  be 
done  in  the  affair  of  Rhodes. 

"  '  The  Israelitish  nation  shall  always  have,  from  me,  the  same 
protection  and  enjoy  the  same  advantages  as  all  other  subjects 
of  my  Empire. 

" '  I  will  grant  the  deputation  the  firman  they  have  asked. 

[ '  I  know,  gentlemen,  how  to  appreciate  the  pare  philanthropy 
which  has  led  you  to  this  capital.' 

"  Having  given  his  reply,  the  Sultan  requested  me  to  come 
nearer.  Rechid  Pasha  again  presented  me  by  name.  The  Sultan 
smiled  most  graciously,  and  said,  '  Present  your  friends  to  me.' 
I  first  presented  George  Samuels,  my  relative,  then  Mr  Wire  of 
the  City  of  London,  and  Dr  Loewe.  When  Mr  Pisani  repeated 
the  last  name  and  the  Doctor  made  a  bow,  Mr  Pisani  informed 
the  Sultan  that  the  Doctor  had  presented  to  the  late  Sultan  a 
translation  of  the  hieroglyphical  inscription  on  the  Obelisk  in 
the  Hippodrome.  The  Sultan  spoke  with  Rechid  Pasha  to 
explain  it,  and  then  said  he  remembered  seeing  it,  and  seemed 
much  pleased,  and  said  the  Doctor  must  be  a  learned  man. 

"  The  Sultan  could  not  have  given  us  a  more  flattering  recep- 
tion ;  it  was  at  the  same  time  most  dignified.  The  room  in 
which  he  received  us  was  well  proportioned,  and  neatly  furnished 
in  European  style.  The  curtains  were  of  rich  yellow  satin  and 
embroidered  damask  and  velvet,  most  probably  of  French  manu- 
facture ;  the  carpet  was  English ;  there  were  two  large  wax 
torches  standing  in  elegantly  carved  candelabras.  We  de- 
scended a  flight  of  marble  stairs,  and  were  shown  into  a  large 
and  handsome  room,  splendidly  furnished,  and  more  brilliantly 
illuminated  than  the  other  room.  We  chatted  with  Rechid  and 
Riza  Pashas,  expressed  our  thanks  to  them  for  their  great  kind- 
ness in  procuring  for  us  at  so  unusual  a  time  an  audience  with 
His  Imperial  Majesty,  and  our  gratitude  to  His  Majesty  for  his 
gracious  reception  and  reply.  I  asked  Rechid  Pasha  when  I 
might  hope  to  receive  the  firman  which  the  Sultan  had  promised 
me,  as  I  was  most  desirous  of  returning  to  England  the  moment 
I  got  it.  He  replied  that  he  supposed  I  should  not  go  before 
the  next  steamer  left  (on  the  /th  of  November),  and  that  I 
should  have  it  by  that  time ;  but  as  it  was  the  Ramazan,  there 


274       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Jllontejlore. 

was  some  difficulty  in  preparing  it.  We  returned  in  state  as 
we  came,  the  guard  of  honour  saluting  us  as  we  passed  them 
in  the  court  of  the  palace.  We  were  again  served,  after  the 
audience,  in  the  lower  room  of  the  palace  with  sherbet  in  elegant 
glasses,  and  we  had  splendidly  embroidered  table  napkins.  A 
military  band  played  during  the  greater  part  of  the  time  we 
were  at  the  Palace.  We  found  the  streets  still  more  crowded 
than  when  we  went ;  not  a  window  in  the  whole  street  through 
which  we  passed  but  was  filled  with  female  faces.  As  we 
approached  the  Jewish  street  we  experienced  even  more  diffi- 
culty in  passing.  At  the  end  of  the  same  street  Signer  Com- 
mundo,  with  the  ecclesiastical  chief  of  Galata  and  about  twenty 
of  our  acquaintances,  insisted  on  walking  with  us  to  our  house. 
I  was  delighted  to  see  my  dear  Judith,  and  to  acquaint  her  with 
our  happy  reception  and  the  complete  success  of  our  Mission, 
for  which  we  return  our  grateful  thanks  to  Heaven." 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 
1840. 

DISTRESS  AMONG  THE  JEWS  AT  SALONICA— OPPRESSIVE  LAWS 
WITH  REGARD  TO  THEM — TEXT  OF  THE  FIRMAN— ITS 
PROMULGATION. 

ON  the  3<Dth  of  October  all  the  representatives  of  the  Hebrew 
congregations  called  to  express  their  thanks  to  Sir  Moses 
for  introducing  the  study  of  the  Turkish  language  and  its 
literature  in  their  schools.  The  letter  on  the  subject,  addressed 
by  the  Haham  Bashi  to  all  the  congregations,  had  been  printed, 
and  was  to  be  read  publicly  on  the  following  day  in  all  the 
Synagogues  in  Constantinople. 

On  Saturday  we  had  the  happiness  of  receiving  from  Mr 
Pisani  the  answer  of  His  Imperial  Majesty,  which  he  had 
delivered  to  Sir  Moses  in  reply  to  his  address  on  Wednesday 
evening,  whir1!  His  Majesty  promised  should  be  delivered  in 
writing.  Rechid  Pasha  sent  it  by  Mr  Pisani,  saying  that  he 
was  preparing  the  firman  which  Sir  Moses  had  requested  from 
the  Sultan.  The  same  day  the  letter  of  the  Haham  Bashi  was 
read  in  all  the  Synagogues,  and  caused  great  satisfaction  to  all 
present,  as  they  considered  that  the  introduction  of  the  Turkish 
language  in  the  Jewish  schools  would  raise  the  Jews  in  the 
estimation  of  both  Moslems  and  Greeks.  We  had  again  many 
visitors,  and  received  a  deputation  from  Salonica,  where  there 
were  5000  Jewish  families.  Much  distress,  they  said,  prevailed 
there,  in  consequence  of  a  fire  which  had  destroyed  20,000 
houses,  of  which  2oco  belonged  to  Jews.  They  had  presented 
a  petition  to  the  Sultan  for  assistance  to  rebuild  the  houses,  as 
lie  had  sent  money  for  that  purpose  to  the  other  inhabitants, 
but  not  to  the  Jews.  They  also  complained  that  they  were 
forced  to  pay  the  Governor  large  sums  of  money  before  he 
would  allow  them  to  bury  any  one.  Sir  Moses  asked  them  if 
persons  of  other  religions  were  also  charged  for  the  privilege 


276       Diaries  c>f  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

of  burying  their  dead ;  they  replied  in  the  affirmative,  but  said 
the  sum  that  others  paid  was  very  trifling  as  compared  to  the 
charges  made  to  the  Jews. 

Mr  Isaac  Picciotto,  who  had  just  arrived  from  Damascus, 
paid  us  a  visit.  He  was  one  of  the  unfortunate  persons  accused 
there,  and  had  only  been  saved  from  torture  by  the  protection 
of  the  Austrian  Consul,  he  being  an  Austrian  subject.  He  was 
kept  seven  months  in  the  Consul's  house,  and  had  only  had 
courage  to  leave  it  that  week,  after  the  other  persons  had  re- 
turned to  their  homes.  He  expressed  great  gratitude  for  our 
exertions  on  their  behalf,  and  shed  tears  on  seeing  us. 

November  \st, — Mr  Alison  called,  with  a  request  from  Rifaat 
Bey  to  Sir  Moses  to" fix  a  day  to  dine  with  him,  and  he  would 
invite  Colonel  Hodges  to  meet  him.  Sir  Moses  accepted  the 
invitation  for  the  following  Wednesday.  The  intervening  days 
were'  spent  in  receiving  deputations  and  friends,  and  visiting 
various  charitable  institutions,  where  he  distributed  generous  gifts. 

November  7th. — Having  seen  much  poverty  at  Khaskoey, 
Sir  Moses  went  there,  accompanied  by  Lady  Montefiore  and 
myself,  to  attend  prayers  at  the  Synagogue  "  Major." 

On  leaving  the  Synagogue,  Sir  Moses,  according  to  previous 
arrangements,  commenced  distributing  among  the  poor  the 
money  he  had  brought  with  him.  But  he  was  overpowered 
by  the  crowd,  and  had  he  not  been  rescued  by  the  guard  (two 
officers  and  six  men)  who  attended  him  as  a  mark  of  honour, 
he  would  not  have  been  able  to  pass.  It  required  all  their 
force  to  keep  back  the  crowd  till  we  had  reached  our  abode. 
Sir  Moses  was  obliged  to  leave  the  money  with  the  wardens 
of  the  Synagogue  to  be  distributed  by  them,  observing  that 
he  had  never  in  any  other  place  witnessed  so  much  poverty 
and  distress. 

Poor,  however,  as  the  people  of  Khaskoey  were,  they  devoted 
a  great  part  of  their  humble  earnings  to  education,  and  not  only 
to  the  education  of  their  children,  but  also  to  that  of  grown-up 
members  of  their  community  ;  nor  did  they  neglect  to  contribute 
to  the  support  of  their  Synagogues. 

My  attention  was  here  called  to  a  rather  amusing  notice 
affixed  to  the  portals  of  the  Synagogue,  containing  strict  orders 
and  regulations,  issued  by  the  heads  of  the  congregation,  regard- 
ing the  best  mode  of  effecting  economy  in  the  affairs  of  the 


Call  on  Lord  Ponsonby.  277 

community,  collectively  and  individually.  The  members  and 
their  families  were  interdicted  from  wearing  costly  furs,  dresses 
and  head-dresses  embroidered  with  gold  or  silver.  '  Expensive 
shawls,  gold  and  silver  fringes  on  the  costume,  and  similar 
luxuries  are  likewise  prohibited.  The  women  are  not  to  bring 
their  jewellery  to  the  hamam  (public  bath),  where  they  were 
in  the  habit  of  spending  hours  chatting  with  their  friends  and 
exhibiting  their  wealth.  Similar  restrictions  were  placed  on 
festivities  at  weddings  and  at  the  naming  of  boys.  Even  at 
funerals  the  use  of  costly  shawls  on  the  biers  of  females  was 
not  permitted. 

The  poor  of  Galata  were  considered  the  following  day,  and 
we  repaired  to  the  Synagogue,  there  to  distribute  Sir  Moses  and 
Lady  Montefi  ore's  gifts. 

In  the  course  of  the  day  Mr  Pisani  called,  informing  Sir 
Moses  that  he  would  receive  a  decoration  from  the  Sultan. 

Subsequently  Sir  Moses  called  on  Lord  Ponsonby,  who 
promised  to  do  what  he  could  to  relieve  the  distress  in  Rhodes. 

Being  pressed  for  time  we  soon  returned,  and  proceeded  to 
Rifaat  Bey's.  "  It  was  already  late,"  says  Sir  Moses,  "  when 
we  came  there,  and  found  waiting  there  Lords  Canning  and 
Louvain,  Colonel  Hodges,  Captain  Gordon,  Dr  M'Carthy,  Mr 
C.  Alison,  Rifaat  Bey,  and  several  Turkish  gentlemen. 

The  conversation  on  the  events  in  Syria  was  very  interesting. 

About  nine  o'clock  we  left  the  party,  much  pleased  with  the 
novelty  of  the  scene. 

November  6th. — We  went  first  to  the  Austrian  Ambassador 
and  then  to  Rechid  Pasha.  The  latter,  who  received  us  in  a 
very  friendly  manner,  said  that  the  Hatti-Sherif  was  ready,  but 
had  not  yet  been  signed  by  the  Sultan.  Sir  Moses  expressed 
his  anxiety  to  have  it  as  soon  as  possible,  as  he  was  desirous  of 
leaving  the  next  day.  The  Pasha  said  that  if  Mr  Pisani  came 
at  ten  o'clock  the  same  evening  to  the  Porte,  he  should  have  it, 
as  he  himself  would  go  to  Riza  Pacha  about  it,  and  appointed 
twelve  o'clock  the  next  day  to  see  Sir  Moses. 

Saturday  evening,  November  ^th. — Sir  Moses  writes  in  his 
diary :  "  I  sat  up  last  night  till  after  twelve,  awaiting  with  great 
anxiety  the  return  of  Mr  Wire,  who  had  gone  to  Mr  Pisani's 
house  to  fetch  the  firman  for  me  as  soon  as  Mr  Pisani  should 
return  from  the  Porte,  where  Rechid  Pasha  had  appointed  him 


278       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

to  be  at  ten  o'clock.  I  had  just  fallen  asleep  when  Mr  Wire 
knocked  at  my  door,  and  showed  me  the  firman  which  the 
Sultan  had  signed.  It  was  beautifully  written  on  thick  parch- 
ment, and  was  enclosed  in  a  coloured  satin  bag.  I  sent  it  to 
Dr  Loewe,  who  had  also  retired,  begging  of  him  to  read  it  and 
let  me  know  if  it  was  all  we  could  desire  for  the  satisfaction  of 
our  brethren.  In  a  little  while  Mr  Wire  returned  it  to  me, 
saying  that  Dr  Loewe  had  read  it,  and  had  assured  him  it  was 
written  in  the  strongest  possible  terms  as  to  the  innocence  of 
the  Jews,  as  well  as  for  their  future  protection. 

"  I  then  blessed  the  Lord  God  for  His  great  goodness,  placed 
the  firman  under  my  pillow,  and  fell  asleep." 

The  next  day  I  walked  with  Dr  Loewe  to  Rechid  Pasha's 
residence.  I  took  the  firman  with  me,  as  it  had  to  be  deposited 
in  the  Archives  of  the  Ottoman  Empire,  and  the  Pasha  had 
only  sent  it  to  me  that  I  might  be  convinced  of  its  authenticity. 
An  official  copy  was,  by  order  of  the  Sultan,  forwarded  to  the 
Haham  Bashi.  His  Excellency,  Rechid  Pasha,  received  us 
immediately,  and  said  he  hoped  I  was  satisfied  with  what  the 
Sultan  had  done  for  us.  Mr  Pisani  then  handed  me  an  official 
copy  of  the  firman,  and  I  gave  the  original  to  the  Pasha.  I 
had  first  begged  to  be  allowed  to  keep  it,  but  His  Excellency 
said  it  was  impossible,  and  my  copy  of  it  was  in  every  respect 
accurate. 

The  following  is  an  exact  translation  of  the  firman  Hatti- 
Sherif  (addressed  to  the  Chief  Judge  at  Constantinople),  at  the 
head  of  which  His  Imperial  Majesty  the  Sultan  Abd-ool-medjid 
wrote  with  his  own  hand  the  following  words :  "  Let  that  be 
executed  which  is  prescribed  in  this  Firman  : " — 

"An  ancient  prejudice  prevailed  against  the  Jews.  The 
ignorant  believed  that  the  Jews  were  accustomed  to  sacrifice  a 
human  being  to  make  use  of  his  blood  at  their  feast  of  Passover. 
"  In  consequence  of  this  opinion,  the  Jews  of  Damascus  and 
Rhodes  (who  are  subjects  of  our  Empire)  have  been  persecuted 
by  other  nations.  The  calumnies  which  have  been  uttered 
against  the  Jews,  and  the  vexations  to  which  they  have  been 
subjected,  have  at  last  reached  our  Imperial  Throne. 

"  But  a  short  time  has  elaped  since  some  Jews  dwelling  in 
the  Island  of  Rhodes  have  been  brought  from  thence  to  Con- 
stantinople, where  they  have  been  tried  and  judged  according  to 


Text  of  the  Firman.  279 

the  new  regulations,  and  their  innocence  of  the  accusations  made 
against  them  fully  proved.  That,  therefore,  which  justice  and 
equity  required  has  been  done  on  their  behalf. 

"  Besides  which  the  religious  books  of  the  Hebrews  have  been 
examined  by  learned  men,  well  versed  in  their  theological  litera- 
ture, the  result  of  which  examination  is,  that  it  is  found  that  the 
Jews  are  strongly  prohibited,  not  only  from  using  human  blood, but 
even  that  of  animals.  It  therefore  follows  that  the  charges  made 
against  them  and  their  religion  are  nothing  but  pure  calumny. 

"For  this  reason,  and  for  the  love  we  bear  to  our  subjects, 
we  cannot  permit  the  Jewish  nation  (whose  innocence  of  the 
crime  alleged  against  them  is  evident)  to  be  vexed  and  tor- 
mented upon  accusations  which  have  not  the  least  foundation  in 
truth,  but  in  conformity  to  the  Hatti-Sherif  which  has  been 
proclaimed  at  Gulhani,  the  Jewish  nation  shall  possess  the  same 
advantages  and  enjoy  the  same  privileges  as  are  granted  to  the 
numerous  other  nations  who  submit  to  our  authority. 

"  The  Jewish  nation  bhall  be  protected  and  defended. 

"  To  accomplish  this  object,  we  have  given  the  most  positive 
orders  that  the  Jewish  nation,  dwelling  in  all  parts  of  our  empire, 
shall  be  perfectly  protected,  as  well  as  all  other  subjects  of  the 
sublime  Porte,  and  that  no  person  shall  molest  them  in  any 
manner  whatever  (except  for  a  just  cause),  neither  in  the  free 
exercise  of  their  religion,  nor  in  that  which  concerns  their  safety 
and  tranquillity.  In  consequence,  the  present  firman,  which  is 
ornamented  at  the  head  with  our  '  Hoomaioon '  (sign-manual), 
and  emanates  from  our  Imperial  Chancellerie,  has  been  delivered 
to  the  Israelitish  nation. 

"  Thus  you,  the  above-mentioned  judge,  when  you  know  the 
contents  of  this  firman,  will  endeavour  to  act  with  great  care  in 
the  manner  therein  prescribed.  And  in  order  that  nothing  may 
be  done  in  opposition  to  this  firman,  at  any  time  hereafter,  you 
will  register  it  in  the  Archives  of  the  Tribunal  ;  you  will  after- 
wards deliver  it  to  the  Israelitish  nation,  and  you  will  take  great 
care  to  execute  our  orders,  and  this  our  sovereign  will. 

"Given  at  Constantinople,  I2th  Ramazan,  1256  (November 
6th,  1840)." 

I  gave  Rechid  Pasha  the  order  issued  by  the  Hahdm  Bashi 
respecting  the  instruction  henceforth  to  be  given  in  all  the 
Hebrew  public  schools  in  the  Turkish  language.  He  read  the 
paper  carefully,  and  said  he  was  much  pleased ;  he  also  made 


280       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

the  following  remark :  "  If  you  had  done  nothing  else  in  Con- 
stantinople than  that,  you  ought  to  consider  yourself  amply 
compensated  for  the  trouble  and  fatigue  you  have  undergone, 
by  the  consciousness  of  having  been  instrumental  in  affording 
your  brethren  the  opportunity  of  raising  their  position,  by  a 
knowledge  of  the  Turkish  language."  He  then  told  me  of  his 
having  written  to  the  Pasha  of  Rhodes  to  take  special  care 
that  the  Jews  were  always  under  proper  protection,  so  that, 
if  they  wished  to  leave  the  town,  they  might  do  so  without 
fear  of  molestation. 

On  our  return  home  we  found  a  great  many  visitors  who  had 
come  to  bid  us  farewell.  Towards  evening  the  representatives 
of  all  the  congregations  called,  and  prayers  were  recited  at  the 
conclusion  of  the  Sabbath.  Soon  after  dark,  Monsieur  Le  Goff, 
who  had  promised  to  call  for  us  when  it  would  be  time  to 
embark,  came,  and  we  all  went  on  board.  Hundreds  of  people 
pressed  round  us  as  we  embarked,  offering  prayers  and  good 
wishes  for  our  safe  return  to  England. 

On  the  9th  November  we  landed  at  Smyrna,  where  Sir  Moses 
left  Greek  translations  of  the  firman,  as  well  as  many  charitable 
gifts  for  distribution.  Six  days  later  we  arrived  at  Malta,  where 
we  learned  that  St  Jean  d'Acre  had  been  taken,  after  three 
hours'  fight,  but  with  very  little  loss. 

This,  Sir  Moses  thought,  would  settle  the  affair  of  Syria,  and 
he  had  some  hope  that  Egypt  itself  would  soon  return  to  the 
Sultan.  The  officer  of  the  Lazaretto  came,  and  advised  us  to  re- 
main on  board  that  day  and  the  next.  He  told  us  we  should  have 
excellent  apartments  in  Fort  Manoel,  as  the  Emir  Besheerand  his 
attendants,  about  120  persons,  would  then  leave  the  Lazaretto. 
Sir  Moses  agreed  to  this,  and  the  next  day  the  commandant, 
Monsieur  Le  Goff,  took  us  in  his  boat  to  Fort  Manoel.  The 
Emir  Besheer  and  his  suite  only  left  at  nine  o'clock.  We  saw 
them  going  in  two  boats  on  their  way  to  St  Antonio.  The  Emir 
Besheer  was  in  the  Governor's  boat  with  some  of  the  attendants  ; 
the  ladies,  about  twelve  of  them,  were  in  another  boat.  The 
Emir  was  a  noble-looking  old  man,  with  a  long  white  beard  ; 
the  ladies  were  all  dressed  in  white,  and  had  their  faces  veiled. 
I  once  had  the  opportunity  of  seeing  the  Emir  in  his  mountains 
at  Ebtedeen.  His  proper  name  was  Emir  Sa'ad  ed-deen  Esh- 
shehabi.  His  political  movements,  as  well  as  his  general  course 
of  life,  from  a  religious  point  of  view,  could  not  stand  the  test  of  a 


In  Quarantine.  281 

strict  investigation.  He  spoke  on  one  occasion,  in  the  presence 
of  French  officers,  disrespectfully  of  the  Queen,  and  also  of  the 
Sultan.  The  British  Consul  at  Damascus,  now  Sir  Richard  Wood, 
escorted  him  to  Constantinople,  where  he  received  a  serious 
reprimand  from  the  English  Ambassador  and  the  Turkish 
authorities. 

We  found  that  our  apartments  were  not  ready  for  immediate 
occupation,  and  we  therefore  had  to  remain  a  long  time  in  the 
open  air,  until  they  had  undergone  a  process  of  fumigation  and 
ventilation. 

November  iqth. — A  French  war  steamer  arrived  in  the 
morning  from  Alexandria,  reporting  the  recall  of  Ibrahim  Pasha 
from  Syria,  and  the  countermanding  of  troops  under  orders  for 
Syria,  and  of  the  .levy  of  Bedawees.  We  also  learned  that  the 
Pasha  had  given  up  the  Turkish  fleet,  and  contented  himself 
with  the  vice-regal  power  in  Egypt ;  and  that  all  this  had  been 
approved  by  a  council.  Sir  Moses  remarked,  "that  all  this 
might  be  true,  but  if  the  Sultan  allowed  Mohhammad  Ali  to 
retain  Egypt,  he  would  not  suffer  Syria  to  remain  quiet  for 
twelve  months,  but  would  excite  insurrections.  The  English 
government,"  he  said,  "had  the  game  in  their  own  hands,  and  he 
hoped  they  would  not  throw  it  away ;  Syria  would  never  be  safe 
while  Mohhammad  Ali  ruled  in  Egypt." 

September  2$rd. — Sir  Hector  Grey  sent  the  welcome  tidings 
that  our  imprisonment  would  be  reduced  to  fifteen  days  instead 
of  twenty.  A  few  days  later,  Captain  H.  M.  Austin,  of  Her 
Majesty's  steam  frigate  Cyclops,  arrived  from  Bey  rout,  and  gave 
us  a  most  interesting  account  of  all  that  had  been  passing  in 
Syria.  He  expected  that  Ibrahim  Pasha  would  be  taken,  and 
that  Mohhammad  Ali  would  retain  Egypt,  as  our  ministers,  he 
said,  wished  it. 

Friday,  September  ^th. — We  had  many  visitors  at  Fort 
Manoel  Lazaretto  (Malta)  this  day:  Lady  Stopford  and  her 
daughter,  Captain  and  Mrs  Copeland,  and  the  Greek  Consul ; 
also  Captain  Le  Goff  of  the  Minos.  All  of  them  gave  accounts 
of  the  state  of  politics.  The  French  steamer  brought  us  letters 
from  Signor  Communda,  in  which  he  informed  Sir  Moses,  that 
Rechid  Pasha  had  sent  his  chief  secretary,  accompanied  by  many 
officers,  to  the  Jews  with  the  Hatti-Sherif.  It  was  publicly  read 
amidst  the  universal  joy  of  the  people,  and  prayers  were  offered 
up  for  the  Sultan,  also  for  Sir  Moses. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

1840. 

DEPARTURE  FROM  MALTA — NAPLES — ROME — A  SHAMEFUL, 
INSCRIPTION — PREJUDICES  AGAINST  THE  JEWS  AT  THE 
VATICAN. 

\TOVEMBER  3O//*. — Sir  Hector  Grey  called,  bringing  news 
(in  confirmation  of  previous  reports)  to  the  effect  that 
Commodore  Napier  had  made  a  convention  with  Mohhammad 
AH  :  the  latter  was  to  give  up  Syria,  recall  Ibrahim  Pasha,  and 
restore  the  Turkish  fleet,  on  being  guaranteed  by  the  four  Powers 
in  his  authority  over  Egypt. 

Having  accepted  an  invitation  from  the  Governor  to  dine  with 
him,  we  repaired  to  the  Palace,  and  met  a  very  pleasant  party  of 
twenty-four  persons.  The  Governor  repeatedly  expressed,  ta 
Sir  Moses  his  satisfaction  with  the  result  of  his  Mission. 

December  2nd. — Major  Churchill  called,  bringing  with  him 
Colonel  Hugh  Rose  and  Colonel  Colquhoun  ;  all  offered  to  take 
letters  and  parcels  for  us  to  Damascus.  Sir  Moses  availed  himself 
of  their  kindness,  and  entrusted  Major  Churchill  with  a  box  con- 
taining letters,  newspapers,  and  copies  of  the  Sultan's  Hatti- 
Sherif  for  transmission  to  the  representatives  of  the  Hebrew 
community  at  Damascus. 

At  ten  in  the  evening  we  went,  by  invitation  from  Colonel 
Winchester  and  officers  of  the  p2nd  Highlanders,  to  a  splendid 
ball.  All  the  elite  of  the  island  were  present,  the  Governor,  the 
Admiral,  &c.  Sir  Moses  was  introduced  to  General  Mitchel 
and  all  the  officers  then  going  to  Syra.  They  offered  him 
every  assistance  he  might  desire,  and  promised  to  protect 
the  Jews. 

Lady  Lewis  called  to  invite  Lady  Montefiore  to  go  with  her 
to  see  the  Emir  Besheer's  lady,  Baheeyat  Eddoonya  (the  beauty 
of  the  world),  and  Sir  Moses  and  party  to  accompany  them,  and 
call  on  the  Emir.  The  invitation  was  gladly  accepted.  We 


Naples.  283 

were  detained  there  a  long  time,  the  Emir  having  a  great 
deal  to  say  to  Sir  Moses  respecting  his  own  affairs,  as  he 
wished  him  to  intercede  on  his  behalf  with  the  English 
government. 

Saturday,  December  tyh. — Attended  divine  service  early  in 
the  morning,  and  received  in  the  course  of  the  day  the  representa- 
tives of  the  Hebrew  community.  They  came  to  thank  Sir  Moses 
and  Lady  Montefiore  for  what  they  had  done  for  them,  and 
wished  us  a  safe  voyage  home. 

The  Emir  Besheer  sent  his  Bishop  to  Sir  Moses,  and  begged 
he  would  speak  with  Lord  Palmerston.  He  had  written  himself 
to  the  Queen,  praying  Her  Majesty  for  his  return  to  the  moun- 
tains. He  wished  him  to  say  that  his  family  had  ruled  there  two 
hundred  years,  and  himself  fifty. 

Sir  Moses  promised  the  Emir  to  comply  with  his  request, 
and  Lady  Montefiore  returned  compliments  and  good  wishes  to 
the  Princess  Baheeyat  Eddoonya. 

December  6t/i. — Early  in  the  morning  we  went  on  board  the 
French  steamer  Dante  at  Malta,  and  after  a  two  days'  pleasant 
sea  voyage,  dropped  anchor  in  the  Bay  of  Naples. 

December  8t/i. — Sir  Moses  was  very  anxious  to  prepare  here 
for  the  important  work  he  would  have  to  do  at  Rome  regarding 
the  removal  of  a  scandal  that  might,  at  some  future  period,  be- 
come a  source  of  great  vexation  and  misery  to  thousands  of 
innocent  Jews. 

I  allude  to  the  libellous  epitaph  which  the  Capuchins  at 
Damascus  had  inscribed  on  the  stone  erected  over  an  opening 
in  which  some  bones  of  animals  had  been  put. 

The  inscription,  which  had  been  copied  by  two  monks,  was 
in  the  Italian  and  Arabic  language,  as  follows  : — 

"  D.  O.  M. 

"Qui  riposano  le  ossa  del  Pre  Tomaso  da  Sardegna  Miss0- 
Cappuccino  assassinate  dagli  Ebrei  il  giorno  5  de  Febraro  1'anno 
1840." 

Translation  of  Italian  Inscription. 

"  Here  rest  the  bones  of  Father  Tomaso  of  Sardinia,  a 
Capuchin  missionary,  murdered  by  the  Hebrews  on  the  5th  of 
February  1840." 


284       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

Translation  of  Arabic  Inscription. 

"  The  outward  appearance  of  the  tomb  of  Father  Tomaso  the 
Capuchin,  and  its  place  of  wailing.  He  zealously  discharged 
the  duties  of  his  calling  as  one  of  the  missionaries  in  Damascus 
— the  Jews  slaughtered  him — his  goodness  did  not  save  him. 

"The  laying  down  of  his  bones  took  place  on  the  5th  of 
February  1840." 

The  Baron  and  the  Baroness  Charles  de  Rothschild  called 
soon  after  our  arrival.  They  considered  with  us  what  was  best 
to  be  done  to  facilitate  the  intended  proceedings  at  Rome,  and 
agreed  to  seek  an  interview  with  the  Pope's  Nuncio.  Permission 
was  obtained  the  same  day  from  the  Minister  of  Police  to  have 
the  Hatti  Sherif  printed  and  published  in  Italian  papers.  His 
Excellency  had  them  printed  for  Sir  Moses,  and  forwarded  him 
several  hundred  copies  for  distribution  among  friends. 

Mr  Briggs  paid  them  a  visit,  and  having  discussed  all  that 
had  taken  place  in  Alexandria,  expressed  much  pleasure  at  the 
result  of  the  Mission. 

Naples,  December  loth. — Sir  Moses  went  with  Baron  Charles 
to  the  Pope's  Nuncio,  who  received  them  most  kindly.  He  com- 
plimented Sir  Moses,  saying  that  he  was  an  excellent  ambassador, 
as  was  proved  by  his  success. 

On  acquainting  him  with  the  object  of  his  visit,  and  asking 
for  his  advice  as  to  the  best  mode  of  proceeding  when  at  Rome 
to  procure  the  removal  of  the  stone  in 'the  Latin  Convent  of  the 
Capuchins  at  Damascus,  the  Nuncio  said  that  the  business  must 
be  hinted  with  much  delicacy  at  Rome  ;  he  was  going  there  on 
the  1 3th  January,  and  would  do  it  himself  if  Sir  Moses  would 
remain  at  Naples.  Sir  Moses,  however,  could  not  remain  so 
long,  and  the  Nuncio  promised  to  prepare  a  letter  to  a  friend  at 
Rome  and  send  it  to  him. 

In  the  evening  we  all  dined  with  the  Baron  and  Baroness  de 
Rothschild.  The  entertainment  was  given  in  honour  of  Sir 
Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore ;  twenty-four  at  table — Princes  and 
Princesses,  Dukes  and  Duchesses,  the  Mite  of  the  Neapolitan 
nobility,  as  well  as  Admiral  Gowley  and  other  distinguished 
officers  in  the  navy.  We  were  also  invited  to  a  ball,  but  Sir 
Moses  was  not  sufficiently  well  to  go,  and  Lady  Montefiore 
would  not  go  without  him. 


Arrival  at  Rome.  285 

December  i6//z. — A  visit  was  paid  to  the  Austrian  Ambas- 
sador, Count  de  Lebselter.  Both  Sir  Moses  and  Baron  de 
Rothschild  were  much  pleased  with  his  remarks  on  the  recent 
events  in  the  East 

December  \tyh. — Sir  Moses  and  Baron  Charles  went  to  the 
French  Ambassador,  who  received  them  most  kindly. 

Sir  Moses  recounted  to  him  Count  Ratti-Menton's  conduct  in 
the  affair  of  Damascus,  with  the  full  particulars.  He  also  told 
him  what  he  had  effected  in  Constantinople,  and  he  had  the 
happiness  of  hearing  the  Ambassador  state  that  it  had  been  his 
opinion  from  the  first  that  the  Jews  were  innocent  of  the  crime 
imputed  to  them.  He  several  times  congratulated  Sir  Moses  on 
his  success  ;  said  that  he  was  glad  the  latter  intended  going  to 
Paris,  and  that  he  should  make  the  government  acquainted 
with  the  conduct  of  Ratti-Menton,  but  without  publishing  it  to 
the  world.  The  Duke  was  the  first  Frenchman  that  Sir  Moses 
had  heard  express  in  so  decided  a  manner  his  conviction  of  the 
innocence  of  the  Jews. 

It  was  reported  that  the  Sultan  had  refused  to  ratify 
Commodore  Napier's  convention,  at  the  request  of  the  Ambas- 
sadors of  the  four  Powers.  They  would  not  consent  to  the 
Pasha  having  Candia. 

Naples,  December  2Of/i. — "We  entered  our  good  old  carriage 
this  morning,"  Sir  Moses  writes  in  his  diary,  "  at  eight ;  the 
weather  was  mild  and  pleasant.  We  had  four  horses  to  our 
carriage,  and  only  a  pair  to  the  carriage  for  Mr  Wire  and  Dr 
Loewe,  though  I  was  obliged  to  pay  for  three,  as  we  do  not 
intend  travelling  at  night,  and  are  anxious  to  get  on  as  fast 
as  we  can.  We  hope  to  save  much  time  and  obtain  better 
accommodation  on  the  road  by  having  a  courier." 

December  2ind. — Through  the  carelessness  of  the  postilions, 
Sir  Moses'  carriage  was  driven  against  a  cart,  the  pole  of  the 
former  being  broken.  Our  carriage  also  met  with  an  accident, 
but  we  nevertheless  all  reached  Rome  safely.  Soon  after  enter- 
ing the  gates  of  the  city  we  were  greeted  by  a  deputation  of  our 
brethren,  who  followed  us  to  our  hotel,  and  expressed  their 
pleasure  at  seeing  us  return  in  good  health.  We  then  proceeded 
to  the  Synagogue,  which  had  been  most  brilliantly  illuminated 
in  our  honour. 

The  people  of  Rome  were  delighted  with  our  success  at  Con- 


286       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

stantinople ;  the  firman,  they  considered,  gave  some  reparation 
or  the  past  and  security  for  the  future. 

December  2yd. — Sir  Moses  presented  his  letter  of  introduc- 
tion to  Prince  Alexander  Torlonia,  who  likewise  congratulated 
him  on  the  success  of  the  Mission. 

Another  deputation  from  the  Jews  of  Rome  came  to  express 
their  thanks  to  Sir  Moses  for  his  exertions  on  behalf  of  his  co- 
religionists, regretting  that  it  was  not  in  their  power  to  prove  their 
gratitude  by  something  more  than  words. 

Rome,  December  2^th. — We  then  called  on  Baron  de  Binder, 
the  Attache  to  the  Austrian  Embassy.  Sir  Moses  intimated  his 
desire  to  be  introduced  to  the  Austrian  Ambassador,  in  order 
to  thank  him  for  the  lively  interest  he  had  taken  in  favour  of 
the  Jews  of  Damascus. 

The  Baron  said  he  should  be  happy  to  introduce  him,  but  as 
the  following  day  was  Christmas  day,  and  the  New  Year  holidays 
were  so  near,  he  feared  some  few  days  must  elapse  before  he 
would  be  able  to  get  an  appointment. 

Sir  Moses  informed  the  Baron  of  his  earnest  desire  to  be  pre- 
sented to  the  Pope,  to  express  his  gratitude  to  him  for  not  having 
permitted  the  public  press  of  Rome  to  insert  the  charges  made 
against  the  Jews  at  Rhodes  and  Damascus,  also  to  present  His 
Holiness  with  a  copy  of  the  firman  granted  by  the  Sultan,  and 
to  intimate  the  great  act  of  kindness  it  would  be  on  his  part  to 
advise  the  removal  of  the  inscription  from  the  stone  in  the  convent 
at  Damascus,  over  some  bones  said  to  be  those  of  Father 
Tommaso.  The  Sultan  would  doubtless,  if  applied  to,  order  the 
removal  of  the  stone,  as  soon  as  his  Governor  was  in  the  city  ; 
but  Sir  Moses,  well  knowing  His  Holiness'  love  of  truth  and 
peace,  felt  confident  that,  if  made  known  to  him,  he  would 
not  permit  such  a  libel  to  remain. 

December  2^th. — Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore,  while  visit- 
ing one  of  the  public  institutions,  met  the  Princess  Augusta  of 
Cambridge,  who  spoke  to  them  most  kindly.  Prince  A.  Torlonia 
sent  them  the  key  of  his  box  at  the  opera.  They  availed  them- 
selves of  this  kindness  in  company  with  several  friends.  "  Being 
the  first  representation  of  the  season,"  writes  Sir  Moses,  "the 
house  was  filled  to  overflowing  in  every  part.  The  Queen  of 
Spain,  the  Duchess  of  Cambridge  and  her  daughter  were  present, 
as  well  as  every  person  of  note  in  Rome.  It  is  customary  for 


Rome.  287 

the  Governor  of  the  city,  on  the  first  night  of  the  season,  to  offer 
to  the  audience  in  the  second  and  third  tiers  of  boxes,  ices,  cakes, 
&c.,  twice  during  the  evening,  between  the  acts.  Simultaneously, 
as  if  by  magic,  two  waiters  entered  into  each  of  the  sixty-two 
boxes,  one  bearing  wax  candles  in  silver  candlesticks  and  the 
other  trays  with  the  choicest  refreshments.  We  had  one  of  the 
best  and  largest  boxes  in  the  house,  and  remained  till  nearly 
twelve." 

The  following  day  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  received 
a  beautiful  address  from  the  Consistoire  Israelite  of  France,  offer- 
ing congratulations  and  deep  gratitude  for  their  noble  exertions. 

December  2tyh. — Sir  Moses  went  with  Baron  Binder  to  Count 
Lebselter,  the  Austrian  Minister.  The  Count  expressed  himself 
most  handsomely,  saying  that  he  was  perfectly  convinced  of  the 
innocence  of  the  Jews,  and  that  he  knew  the  people  well,  having 
been  Ambassador  at  Constantinople  for  four  years.  He  said  he 
had  frequently  spoken  with  the  Cardinals  on  the  subject  of  the 
Damascus  affair,  but  he  did  not  succeed  in  converting  them  to 
his  opinion.  He  recommended  Sir  Moses  to  see  Mr  Aubin,who 
then  acted  as  agent  for  the  British  Government,  and  to  request 
Mr  Aubin  to  present  him  to  Signer  Capuccini,  Under  Secretary 
of  State,  and  explain  to  him  his  wishes. 

December  y>tli. — Sir  Moses  had  a  long  conversation  with 
Mr  Aubin,  who  consented  to  speak  to  Signer  Capuccini  and 
acquaint  him  with  Sir  Moses'  desire  to  be  introduced  to  the 
Pope.  Mr  Aubin  said,  as  to  the  presentation  he  feared  he  should 
not  succeed,  but  thought  perhaps  he  might  with  the  request 
referring  to  the  firman. 

At  four  o'clock  Sir  Moses  saw  Mr  Aubin  again.  He  had  been 
with  Signor  Capuccini,  but  could  not  succeed  in  any  way,  and 
was,  indeed,  most  anxious  that  Sir  Moses  should  not  even  call 
upon  him.  Mr  Aubin  said  that  all  the  people  about  the  Pope 
were  persuaded  that  the  Jews  had  murdered  Father  Tommaso,  and 
even  if  all  the  witnesses  in  the  world  were  brought  before  tlie  Pope 
to  prove  the  contrary,  neither  he  nor  his  people  would  be  convinced, 
and  he  could  do  nothing  more. 

Sir  Moses,  on  hearing  this,  determined  at  once  to  leave  his 
card,  together  with  his  letters  of  introduction,  with  Signor 
Capuccini  and  the  Cardinal  Tosti,  which  he  did,  also  leaving 
cards  on  Monsignor  Bruti  and  the  Abbe  Ferrari,  and  was  in- 


288       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte jiore. 

formed  two  days  later  that  the  Secretary  of  State  had  appointed 
eleven  on  the  following  day  to  receive  him. 

Sir  Moses  called  on  Torlonia,  and  spoke  to  him  respecting 
his  introduction  to  the  Pope,  to  solicit  his  directions  for  the 
removal  of  the  stone.  The  Prince  promised  to  consult  his 
brother,  the  Duke,  and  see  what  could  be  done  ;  personally  he 
thought  it  should  be  done  through  the  Propaganda.  Sir  Moses 
left  him  a  translation  of  Mr  Shadwell's  letter  on  the  subject. 

It  was  again  reported  that  the  Sultan  would  not  ratify 
Commodore  Napier's  convention  with  Mohhammad  Ali,  but 
that  Lord  Palmerston  would  insist  upon  the  ratification. 

We  then  visited  the  Ghetto,  where  we  were  met  by  a  deputa- 
tion of  our  brethren,  who  took  us  to  see  the  workshops.  We 
saw  many  Jewish  children  at  work,  some  weaving,  others  making 
shoes.  Sir  Moses  gave  to  each  child  a  Spanish  dollar,  and  two 
Napoleons  to  each  teacher.  We  next  went  to  the  four  schools. 
Sir  Moses  gave  to  each  boy  half  a  dollar,  and  fourteen  dollars  to 
the  students,  for  the  study  of  the  Holy  Law. 

On  our  return,  Sir  Moses  found  that  cards  had  been  left  by 
the  Abbe"  Ferrari  ;  Monsignor  Bruti,  private  chamberlain  to  the 
Pope  ;  and  Baron  de  Binder  Kriegelstein. 

Great  anxiety  was  felt  by  Sir  Moses  as  to  the  result  of  his 
endeavours  to  get  an  audience  with  the  Pope.  His  petition 
was  already  prepared,  and  he  hoped  by  some  means  to  get  it 
into  the  Pope's  hands.  If  this  could  be  effected,  he  thought 
some  good  might  be  done.  "  Heaven  only  knows,"  he  said, 
"my  fears  are  much  greater  than  my  hopes  ;  neither  the  Austrian 
Minister  nor  Baron  de  Binder  will  do  anything." 

The  Hanoverian  Minister  had  expressed  to  Baron  de  Binder 
his  total  inability  to  assist  Sir  Moses  in  obtaining  an  audience 
with  His  Holiness.  Mr  Aubin  said  he  had  done  all  he  could, 
but  ineffectually,  and  Signer  Capuccini  entreated  that  Sir  Moses 
would  not  insist  upon  seeing  the  Pope,  as  the  Cardinal  Tosti  had 
taken  no  notice  of  either  Sir  Moses'  letter  or  card.  "  This  is 
the  last  night  of  the  year  1840,"  Sir  Moses  said.  "  It  has  been  a 
year  of  much  anxiety,  fatigue,  and  danger  to  Lady  Montefiore 
and  myself,  but  thanks  to  the  God  of  our  Fathers,  we  trust  its 
fruits  will  be  productive  of  much  good  to  His  children,  not  only 
in  the  East,  but  in  the  West  as  well." 


CHAPTER   XXXV. 

1841. 

MONSIGNOR  BRUTI  AND  HIS  HINTS— CARDINAL  RIVEROLA— IN- 
EFFECTUAL ATTEMPTS  TO  INTERVIEW  THE  POPE — RETURN- 
ING HOMEWARDS — ALARMING  ACCIDENT — THE  GOVERNOR 
OF  GENOA — INTERVIEW  WITH  KING  LOUIS  PHILIPPE. 

AT  Rome,  1st  January  1841,  Sir  Moses  writes:  "  Monsignor 
Bruti  called  on  us,  and  I  asked  his  advice  as  to  the  best 
means  of  obtaining  the  removal  of  the  stone,  &c.  He  advised 
my  first  trying  the  head  of  the  Capuchins  here,  also  of  the  Pro- 
paganda, before  I  went  to  the  Secretary  of  State,  and  offered,  if 
I  would  postpone  my  visit  to  the  Secretary  of  State,  which  I  had 
arranged  with  Mr  Kolb  for  to-morrow,  to  make  enquiries  in 
some  influential  quarters,  and  see  me  again  to-morrow  to  acquaint 
me  with  the  best  mode  of  proceeding.  He  spoke  in  a  liberal 
manner,  and  appeared  to  think  I  might  succeed.  In  consequence 
of  this,  Mr  Wire  wrote  to  Mr  Kolb  to  postpone  the  appointment. 
"January  2nd. — Monsignor  Bruti  came  in.  He  said  he  had 
spoken  to  several  influential  persons,  but  the  one  he  particularly 
wished  to  see  was  out  of  town ;  if  he  did  not  return  in  a  few- 
days,  he  would  go  to  him.  Monsignor  Bruti  thought  the  petition 
I  had  prepared  for  the  Pope  very  likely  to  meet  with  success,  if 
I  first  gained  the  concurrence  of  some  of  the  Capuchins,  and  he 
advised  my  making  some  presents  of  money.  I  instantly  stopped 
him,  and  assured  him  that,  in  the  execution  of  my  Mission,  I  had. 
not  given  a  single  dollar,  nor  would  I  do  so  in  Rome,  even  if  I 
was  sure  to  obtain  by  it  the  object  I  had  so  much  at  heart. 
This  information  had  a  great  effect  on  his  manner  of  speaking,, 
and  he  left  us  in  two  minutes.  I  daresay  we  shall  see  little  more 
of  him." 

January  qth. — Mr  Kolb  went  with  us  to  the  Monastery  to 
endeavour  to  see  Cardinal  Riverola,  the  head  of  the  Capuchins  ; 
he  was  unwell,  but  appointed  to  see  us  the  next  day  at  twelve. 
I.  T 


290       Diaries  of  Sir  Jl/oscs  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

Monsignor  Bruti  called ;  he  seemed  very  desirous  to  know 
how  Sir  Moses  was  going  on  ;  the  latter,  however,  did  not  think 
Monsignor  Bruti  could  assist  him. 

January  5///. — "  I  received  a  letter,"  Sir  Moses  writes  in  his 
diary,  "  from  Prince  Torlonia,  expressing  his  regret  that  he  had 
not  succeeded  in  his  application  for  me,  and  enclosing  a  letter 
he  received  from  the  Chamberlain  of  His  Holiness,  stating  that 
at  present  His  Holiness  did  not  give  any  audiences.  At  twelve, 
I  and  Dr  Loewe  went  to  Monsieur  C.  de  Kolb ;  he  joined  us, 
and  we  went  to  the  Monastery.  We  were  admitted  immediately 
to  his  Eminence,  Cardinal  Agostino  Riverola.  Mr  Kolb  intro- 
duced me.  I  acquainted  the  Cardinal  with  the  object  of  my  visit 
to  him,  as  he  was  the  chief  of  the  Capuchins.  I  urged  the  in- 
justice'of  allowing  such  a  libel  to  exist  in  the  Convent  at 
Damascus,  pointing  out  that  the  inscription  stated  that  Padre 
Tommaso  was  assassinated  by  the  Hebrews.  I  said  that  both 
Mohhammad  Ali  and  the  Sultan  were  satisfied  as  to  the  inno- 
cence of  the  accused,  and  they  had  both  given  me  firmans  con- 
firming their  opinion.  The  Cardinal  said  the  firman  was  most 
important,  and  he  would  at  once  sanction  the  removal  of  the 
stone,  whether  the  firman  had  been  obtained  by  Rothschild's 
fortune  or  by  other  means.  I  instantly  stopped  the  Cardinal, 
and  assured  him  that  I  had  not  given  a  dollar  for  the  firman,  nor 
would  I  have  attempted  to  obtain  justice  by  bribery.  He  said 
that  was  immaterial,  he  would  not  enter  into  the  subject ;  the 
firman  was  of  great  importance.  The  inscription,  he  said,  was 
most  improper,  as  it  charged  all  the  Israelites  with  the  murder. 
What  would  be  said  if  a  Florentine  committed  a  crime,  and  all 
Florentines  were  charged  with  it  ?  I  assured  the  Cardinal  that 
Padre  Tommaso  had  not  been  murdered  by  a  Jew,  but  he  did 
not  seem  to  credit  my  assurance.  I  said  I  thought  it  possible 
that  the  Padre  might  still  be  living  in  one  of  the  Monasteries  of 
Lebanon.  The  Cardinal  laughed,  and  turning  to  Mr  Kolb,  said, 
perhaps  Cardinal  Fesch  was  still  living.  It  was  his  opinion,  how- 
ever, that  the  stone  should  be  removed,  and  he  would  confer  with 
the  general  of  the  Capuchins  on  the  subject,  as  he  could  not  give 
instructions  for  its  removal  without  his  concurrence.  I  asked  if 
he  would  see  him  to-day,  but  he  replied,  '  Look  at  the  weather  ; 
it  is  impossible,  but  I  will  in  a  day  or  two.'  I  enquired  when  I 
might  call  again  ;  he  said,  '  whenever  I  pleased.'  I  gave  the 


Interview  with  Cardinal  River ola.  291 

Cardinal  two  copies  of  the  firman,  also  translations  of  the  letters 
sent  me  by  Mr  Shadwell  and  the  Rev.  J.  Marshall.  The  result 
of  my  interview  leads  me  to  hope  that  with  patience  and  per- 
severance I  may  succeed  in  getting  the  inscription  removed. 

"January  6th. — Signor  Scala  paid  us  a  visit,  and  advised  me 
to  forward  the  petition  I  had  prepared  for  His  Holiness  to  the 
Cardinal.  I  and  Dr  Loewe  then  went  to  the  Cardinal's  house  ; 
we  sent  in  the  petition,  enclosed  in  one  to  himself.  We  then  had 
an  interview  with  him  in  his  library.  He  told  us  that  he  had  read 
the  petition,  but  that  it  was  not  his  department  to  present 
petitions  to  His  Holiness.  I  asked  him  kindly  to  inform  me  in 
whose  department  it  was.  He  replied,  the  Cardinal's  Secretary 
of  State  for  Foreign  Affairs.  I  gave  him  two  of  my  pamphlets 
with  the  firman,  and  we  took  our  leave.  We  returned  to  our 
hotel,  and  I  immediately  wrote  to  Cardinal  Luigi  Lambruschini, 
Secretary  of  State  for  Foreign  Affairs.  We  took  the  letter  to 
his  house,  but  he  was  at  dinner,  and  the  servant  informed  us  he 
must  not  be  disturbed.  We  could  leave  the  paper,  and  it  would 
be  given  to  the  Cardinal.  If  we  returned  at  six  o'clock  we  should 
have  an  answer.  We  left  the  papers.  At  six,  Dr  Loewe  went 
to  Cardinal  Lambruschini.  His  servant  said  the  Cardinal  had 
read  the  papers,  but  he  had  nothing  to  do  with  them  ;  that  the 
application  had  been  made  before,  and  that  he  returned  them. 
Thus,  it  appears,  all  doors  are  closed  against  my  petition  finding 
its  way  to  His  Holiness. 

"  Mr  Kolb  said  I  must  be  prepared  to  hear  bad  news  to- 
morrow from  the  Cardinal  Riverola,  as  the  Cardinal  felt  great 
surprise  at  my  boldness  in  replying  to  him  respecting  the 
Rothschilds  having  purchased  the  firman  with  their  fortunes, 
and  also  about  the  Jews  not  having  murdered  Father  Tommaso. 
I  believe  it  is  not  of  much  consequence,  but,  at  all  events,  I 
would  not  suffer  any  one  to  suppose  for  a  moment  that  I  had 
been  base  enough  to  bribe  any  one  for  the  purpose  of  freeing 
the  Jews  from  false  and  base  accusations.  At  twelve  I  went 
with  Dr  Loewe  and  Mr  Wire  to  Mr  Kolb.  He  joined  us,  and 
we  proceeded  to  the  Convent  of  the  Frati  di  St  Marcello  to 
Cardinal  Riverola,  the  protector  of  the  Capuchins.  We  were 
all  presented  to  him.  I  took  my  seat  next  to  him  by  his  desire. 
He  informed  me  that  he  would  write  to  advise  the  removal  of 
the  stone  from  the  Convent  of  the  Capuchins  at  Damascus ; 


29 2       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

that  he  could  not  order  the  removal  of  the  stone,  but  would 
advise  it ;  that  the  Convent  was  under  the  protection  of  the 
French  authority,  who  had  caused  it  to  be  erected  ;  that  all  the 
monks  belonging  to  that  Convent,  except  one,  had  died,  and 
that  several  monks  would  be  sent  there  as  soon  as  Syria  became 
more  tranquil.  The  Cardinal  was  most  friendly  in  his  manner. 
Before  I  left  he  returned  me  the  copies  of  the  letters  of  Mr 
Shadwell,  &c.,  I  gave  him  to  read  at  my  last  interview,  but  he 
kept  the  copy  of  the  firman,  as  well  as  the  copy  of  the  firman  of 
Mohhammad  Ali  which  I  gave  Mr  Kolb  for  him.  Cardinal 
Riverola  had  consulted  with  the  Chief  of  the  Capuchins  at 
Rome.  It  was  this  person  who  assured  the  Cardinal  that  he 
had  not  the  power  to  remove  the  stone,  but  if  he  advised  it,  the 
advice  would  certainly  be  followed.  I  must  see  when  I  get  to 
Paris  what  can  be  done  with  the  French  Minister." 

Sir  Moses  then  called  on  Baron  Binder  and  Prince  Torlonia, 
and  informed  them  of  what  he  had  done.  In  the  course  of  the 
day  Signer  Scala  came  to  inform  him  that  the  Pope  had  ap- 
pointed the  next  day  at  eleven  o'clock  to  receive  the  deputation 
of  the  Jews  of  Rome  who  annually  paid  their  homage  to  him  at 
that  season. 

January  S//i. — We  called  on  Mr  Aubin  to  ask  his  advice 
respecting  the  petition  to  His  Holiness.  He  was  of  opinion 
that  Sir  Moses  had  better  not  present  it  unless  Cardinal  Riverola 
advised  it.  We  afterwards  called  on  Mr  Kolb.  He  said  he 
was  satisfied  the  Cardinal  would  keep  his  promise,  and  Sir 
Moses  would  only  do  mischief  if  he  attempted  to  petition  the 
Pope.  Signer  Scala  and  the  deputation  that  accompanied  him 
were  received  by  the  Pope,  who  said  he  was  well  satisfied  with 
his  Hebrew  subjects,  and  would  grant  them  all  the  privileges 
his  religion  permitted. 

We  quitted  Rome  on  Monday  evening  (January  nth),  and 
travelling  vid  Viterbo  and  Sienna,  reached  Leghorn  on  the  I4th 
January. 

"  Most  grateful  do  I  feel/'  said  Sir  Moses,  "  to  the  Almighty 
for  having  conducted  me  and  my  dear  Judith  in  safety  and 
peace  to  this  my  native  city." 

Saturday,  January  \6t/i.—  About  one  o'clock  the  Chancellor 
of  the  Congregation  came,  saying  that  he  had  received  an 
intimation  from  the  Governor  of  the  town  that  the  latter  wished 


Serious  Carriage  Accident.  293 

to  make  the  acquaintance  of  Sir  Moses,  but  that  etiquette  pre- 
vented his  calling  on  him,  and  he  had  therefore  sent  his  card  by 
his  aide-de-camp.  In  consequence  of  this  we  all  went  to  His 
Excellency,  accompanied  by  the  Chancellor,  Signer  Basevi.  He 
received  us  most  politely,  and  paid  Sir  Moses  a  great  many 
compliments.  He  said,  among  other  things,  that  every  friend 
of  humanity  owed  him  a  debt  of  gratitude.  He  was  delighted 
to  have  made  his  personal  acquaintance,  and  hoped  to  see  him 
again. 

Jamiary  \7tJi. — Accompanied  by  Signer  Basevi,  we  went  to 
the  old  burial-ground,  where  we  met  seventeen  old  men  who 
knew  Signor  R.  H.  Racah,  Sir  Moses'  uncle  and  godfather. 
Sir  Moses  distributed  money  among  them,  and  proceeded  to 
the  new  burial-ground,  where,  on  seeing  the  grave  of  one  of 
his  relations  without  a  tombstone,  he  gave  the  order  to  have 
one  made  at  his  expense. 

iqth  January. — We  left  Leghorn  at  I  P.M.,  Sir  Moses  being 
obliged  to  leave  by  a  side  door  to  escape  the  great  numbers  of 
people  who  were  waiting  in  front  of  the  hotel  to  pay  their 
respects  to  the  Champion  of  Israel.  About  two  o'clock  we 
were  all  much  alarmed  by  Lady  Montefiore  being  suddenly 
taken  seriously  ill,  with  a  numbness  of  her  hand  and  arm,  and 
a  dizziness  and  great  pain  in  the  head,  which  almost  deprived 
her  of  speech  and  motion.  She  was  just  able  to  ask  for  the 
Prayer-Book.  Gradually  she  recovered  from  the  attack,  which 
Sir  Moses  hoped  was  only  spasmodic,  though  she  remained  weak 
and  very  unwell. 

From  Genoa  we  made  our  way  to  Savona,  but  in  consequence 
of  a  serious  carriage  accident,  in  which  Buck,  one  of  the  servants, 
was  badly  hurt,  we  immediately  returned  to  Genoa  to  obtain 
medical  assistance.  By  some  misunderstanding  which  had  arisen 
between  our  couriers  and  the  postillions  of  another  carriage  on 
the  road,  that  of  the  Prince  and  Princess  Marc  de  Beauvaix,  in 
changing  horses,  ours  took  fright  and  went  off  down  a  hill.  On 
the  one  side  there  was  a  deep  precipice,  of  at  least  a  hundred 
feet,  into  the  sea  ;  on  the  other  a  deep  ditch.  The  carriage  was 
thrown  into  the  ditch,  and  fell  on  the  side  of  the  hill,  which  pre- 
vented it  from  being  entirely  overturned.  Sir  Moses,  on  getting 
Lady  Montefiore  out  01  the  carriage,  found  she  had  lost  all 
power  to  help  herseh,  and  placed  her  on  the  side  o.  the  road, 


294       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

while  he  endeavoured  to  restore  her.  As  soon  as  the  carriages 
were  ready  again,  the  invalids  were  carefully  placed  in  them, 
and  we  all  returned  to  the  Hotel  Croce  di  Malta,  our  old  quarters, 
where  we  found  everything  prepared  for  us,  all  having  been 
ordered  by  the  young  couple  who  were  the  innocent  cause  of  our 
misfortune.  We  soon  had  Robert  carried  to  bed,  and  Dr  Dennett, 
an  English  surgeon  and  a  very  clever  man,  very  carefully  ex- 
amined the  patient,  and  did  all  that  was  necessary  for  his  comfort 
and  recovery.  He  said  the  wound  in  his  leg  would  be  of  no 
consequence,  but  if  it  had  besn  extended  the  hundredth  part  of 
an  inch  it  would  have  cut  the  artery,  and  he  would  have  bled 
to  death  before  we  could  have  even  placed  him  in  the  carriage. 

Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  were  much  fatigued  and 
agitated,  but  full  of  deep  gratitude  to  Heaven  for  the  mercy 
shown  to  them  and  to  their  faithful  servant,  Robert,  whom  they 
would  not  leave ;  and  they  remained  at  Genoa  till  he  was 
sufficiently  recovered  to  travel. 

January  26///. — Mr  Yates  Brown,  the  British  Consul,  called 
with  the  compliments  of  the  Governor  of  Genoa,  who  desired  to 
make  Sir  Moses'  acquaintance.  The  latter  agreed  to  accompany 
him  the  next  day  to  His  Excellency. 

January  2"jth. — I  accompanied  Sir  Moses  to  His  Excellency 
the  Marchese  Paulucca,  the  Governor  of  Genoa,  who  received 
him  most  kindly,  enquired  as  to  the  result  of  his  voyage  to  the 
East,  and  was  happy  to  hear  of  its  success.  "  He  had  never," 
he  said,  "  for  a  moment  believed  the  charges  against  the  Israel- 
ites ;  he  had  been  Governor  of  Georgia,  where  there  were  many 
of  that  nation,  and  he  had  never  heard  of  such  a  thing ;  he  had 
known  many  Jews  for  eighteen  years,  and  respected  them.  He 
had  allowed  a  contradiction  of  the  charge  to  appear  in  the  Genoa 
Gazette,  for  which  he  said  he  had  been  reprimanded  by  the 
Government ;  nevertheless,  he  was  glad  he  had  done  it.  Sir 
Moses  gave  His  Excellency  two  copies  of  the  firman,  with  which 
he  seemed  much  pleased.  The  Rev.  E.  Bondi  subsequently  re- 
lated to  Sir  Moses  an  anecdote  concerning  the  Marchese.  About 
three  months  previously  an  Englishman,  a  Protestant,  with  a 
large  family,  had  given  much  trouble  to  the  British  Government 
respecting  a  claim  he  had  on  the  Sardinian  Government,  but  not 
having  succeeded  in  gaining  his  object,  in  a  fit  of  spleen  he 
embraced  the  Catholic  religion  with  all  his  family.  The  ctre- 


Genoa, 


295 


mony  took  place  in  the  great  church  at  Genoa,  in  the  presence 
of  the  King,  the  Royal  family,  and  the  great  officers.  On  the 
following  day  the  King  inquired  of  the  Marchese  Paulucca  if 
he  was  not  delighted  with  the  beautiful  ceremony  (supposing 
him  to  have  been  present),  but  the  latter  informed  His  Majesty 
that  he  was  not  in  the  church  at  the  time.  The  King  expressed 
his  surprise,  and  inquired  the  reason.  The  Marchese  replied 
that  he  disliked  hypocrisy  of  all  kinds.  The  King  was  silent, 
but  did  not  speak  to  him  for  three  days." 

Monsieur  Blaurie,  the  Consul  General  of  France,  sent  us  the 
key  of  his  box  at  the  opera,  and  begged  we  would  go  there  in 
the  evening,  but  Sir  Moses  declined  the  favour. 

Friday,  January  2C)th. — Mr  Wire  left  us  to-day  to  proceed  by 
sea  to  Marseilles  and  thence  to  England,  accompanied  by  a 
French  courier  whom  Sir  Moses  engaged  to  attend  him.  The 
Gazette  of  Genoa  (a  paper  which  contained  many  articles  un- 
favourable to  the  Jews)  now  published  the  firman,  and  other 
journals  followed  the  example.  The  representatives  of  the 
Hebrew  community  requested  to  be  favoured  with  some  copies, 
to  be  distributed  among  their  acquaintances,  not  only  in  this 
city,  but  in  every  town  where  there  were  Israelites,  as  they  had 
all  suffered  more  or  less  by  the  infamous  calumny.  In  Genoa 
a  song  had  been  printed  and  sung  about  the  streets,  relating  the 
particulars  of  the  supposed  murder  of  Padre  Tommaso,  and  the 
confessions  of  the  persons  accused  of  the  crime. 

February  1st. — Lord  and  Lady  Roden  and  Lady  Stratford 
Canning  came  to  see  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore.  They 
spoke  much  on  the  subject  of  our  Mission.  His  lordship 
told  Sir  Moses  that  the  upper  classes  even  of  that  place  were 
ignorant  and  fanatic.  An  Italian  lady  only  three  days  before 
told  him  at  a  large  party  that  a  young  woman  \vas  missing 
in  the  city,  and  she  believed  the  Jews  had  taken  her,  with 
the  intention  of  keeping  her  for  a  time  to  see  if  her  blood  was 
pure,  and  then  to  kill  her  to  use  the  blood  in  the  Passover  cakes. 
His  lordship  asked  her  the  name  of  the  person  who  gave  her  the 
information,  and  on  what  authority  they  did  so,  but  she  could 
not  answer  that  question. 

February  gt/i. — We  travelled  by  Marseilles  and  Avignon,  and 
reached  Lyons  the  next  day. 

February   \-jtli. — Reached  Auxerre.     During  the  last  three 


.296       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montcfwrc. 

•days  we  had  noticed  some  reports  in  the  papers  to  the  effect  that 
yiierif  Pasha,  the  late  Governor  of  Damascus,  had  incurred  the 
displeasure  of  Ibrahim  Pasha,  the  latter  having  threatened  to 
have  him  tried  by  court  martial.  His  troubles  were  therefore  be- 
ginning, and  he  would  perhaps  regret  the  injustice  he  committed 
-when  enjoying  the  favour  of  his  Highness. 

February  \Wi. — On  our  arrival  at  Paris,  Mr  S.  Almosnino, 
the  Secretary  of  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  Hebrew  congrega- 
tion of  London,  came  expressly  to  Sir  Moses  to  deliver  some 
letters  to  him  from  the  representatives  of  that  body.  Sir  Moses 
was  much  pleased  to  see  this  worthy  and  faithful  officer  of  his 
community,  and  gave  him  a  hearty  welcome.  After  paying 
visits  to  the  Barons  James  and  Solomon  de  Rothschild,  to  report 
to  them  on  the  result  of  the  Mission,  Sir  Moses  left  his  card  at 
Lord  Granville's. 

Friday,  February  iC)//i. — Sir  Moses  called  on  Lord  Granville, 
and  told  his  lordship  that  he  was  anxious  to  present  to  His 
Majesty  the  King  a  copy  of  the  firman  Hatti-Sherif  granted  by 
the  Sultan  to  the  Israelites  in  his  dominions.  His  Lordship 
said,  as  Monsieur  Thiers  had  taken  a  prominent  part  in  the  affair 
of  Damascus,  it  was  probable  the  King  might  not  wish  to  receive 
the  firman.  Sir  Moses  replied  that  he  thought  His  Majesty  too 
great  a  lover  of  justice  to  refuse  his  request.  His  Lordship  then 
asked  him  whether  he  would  publish  the  refusal,  in  case  the 
King's  reply  should  be  unfavourable.  Sir  Moses  immediately 
replied  in  the  negative  ;  that  his  object  was  to  promote  peace, 
and  not  to  create  animosity.  -  Upon  which  his  Lordship  said  he 
would  consult  Monsieur  Guizot,  and  let  him  know  the  result. 
The  next  day  Sir  Moses  received  a  note  from  Lord  Granville, 
informing  him  that  His  Majesty  had  notified  his  willingness  to 
receive  him  at  the  Tuileries  the  same  evening. 

Saturday,  February  2O///. — At  half-past  eight  his  Lordship 
also  informed  him  in  a  second  note  that  he  would  be  at  the 
Palace  to  present  him.  *• 

The  following  is  an  account  of  the  interview  with  the  King 
in  Sir  Moses'  own  words  : — 

"I  was  so  fatigued  that  I  could  eat  no  dinner,  but  dressed  myself  in  my 
uniform,  and  at  half-past  eight  I  went  to  the  Palace,  accompanied  by  Dr 
Loewe.  A  minute  or  two  afterwards  Lord  Granville  came  in,  and  we  were 
immediately  conducted  into  the  presence  of  the  King  and  the  Royal  family. 
There  were  a  number  of  officers  in  the  room.  His  Majesty  came  up  the 


Interview  with  the  King.  297 

moment  \ve  entered.  Lord  Granville  presented  me.  I  then  offered  to  the 
King  the  translation  of  the  Hatti-Sherif ;  he  accepted  it  of  me  in  a  most 
gracious  manner,  said  he  was  happy  to  receive  it,  and  enquired  if  I  had 
been  at  Damascus.  I  informed  him  that  the  disturbed  state  of  the  country 
had  prevented  me,  but  His  Majesty  would  perceive  by  the  firman  I  had  the 
honour  of  placing  in  his  hands,  that  there  was  no  longer  any  occasion  for  my 
going,  as  the  Sultan  had  expressed  his  entire  conviction  that  the  accusations 
against  the  Jews  at  Damascus  were  calumnies.  His  Majesty  said  he  was 
happy  it  was  so.  He  said  he  feared  he  had  put  me  to  some  inconvenience 
by  the  very  short  notification  he  had  given  me,  but  as  to-morrow  was  Sunday, 
he  was  fearful  it  would  be  detaining  me  longer  at  Paris  than  I  wished.  He 
then  turned  to  Lord  Granville,  and  said  he  also  feared  he  had  occasioned 
him  some  inconvenience.  Dr  Loewe  was  then  presented,  and  Lord  Gran- 
ville took  me  to  the  Queen,  and  afterwards  to  the  King's  sister  ;  both  were 
very  gracious,  and  spoke  to  us  in  French  for  a  long  time. 

"  There  was  a  Member  of  the  Chamber  who  appeared  to  know  me,  and 
spoke  to  me  about  the  Damascus  affair.  He  began  to  rail  against  Monsieur 
Thiers,  but  I  stopped  him,  saying  that  the  result  of  my  Mission  had  been  so 
completely  successful,  I  was  desirous  of  having  everything  of  an  unpleasant 
nature  forgotten." 

Sir  Moses  expressed  himself  to  all  his  friends  as  being  greatly 
pleased  with  his  reception  by  the  King. 

Numerous  visitors  called  and  left  cards.  Some  of  them  came 
expressly  from  England,  so  as  to  be  able  to  offer  their  hearty 
welcome  to  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  a  few  days  sooner 
than  they  could  have  done  by  awaiting  their  arrival  at  home. 

February  22nd. — Sir  Moses  went  to  Monsieur  Guizot,  who 
was  very  civil,  and  spoke  much  on  the  Mission.  He  requested 
Sir  Moses  to  give  him  copies  of  the  letters  he  had  received  from 
the  Rev.  Joseph  Marshall,  Lieutenant  Shadwell,  and  the  Rev. 
E.  Schlientz. 

On  his  return  to  the  hotel  the  members  of  the  Consistoire 
Israelite,  the  spiritual  chiefs  of  the  community,  and  deputations 
from  all  the  charitable  institutions  called,  and  presented  to  him 
and  Lady  Montefiore  addresses  of  congratulation. 

February  2^th.—  We  left  Paris,  and  reached  Dover  on  Friday, 
where  we  rested  over  the  Sabbath. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

1841. 

HOME  AGAIN— SIR  MOSES  PRESENTS  A  FACSIMILE  OF  THE  FIR- 
MAN TO  THE  QUEEN— HER  MAJESTY'S  SPECIAL  MARK  OF 
FAVOUR— REFORM  MOVEMENT  AMONG  THE  LONDON  JEWS 
— APPEAL  FOR  ENGLISH  PROTECTION  FROM  THE  JEWS  IN 
THE  EAST. 

CEBRUARY  28///.— In  the  evening  we  arrived  at  Park 
•*-  Lane,  London,  where  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore 
received  a  hearty  welcome  from  their  relatives  and  friends. 

The  next  morning,  and  for  many  days  afterwards,  visitors 
called  in  great  numbers.  Deputations  from  various  communal 
institutions,  literary  societies,  and  financial  companies  arrived 
and  presented  addresses. 

In  most  of  the  Synagogues  special  services  were  held,  and 
the  exertions  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  in  the  cause  of 
suffering  humanity,  and  in  the  vindication  of  the  purity  of  the 
religious  tenets  of  Israel,  were  warmly  acknowledged  by  all 
present. 

The  Hebrew  communities  of  Paris,  Hamburg,  Frankfort-on- 
the-Main,  and  Magdeburg,  together  with  those  established  in 
Italy,  the  United  States  of  America,  the  Barbary  States,  Egypt, 
and  Turkey,  all  sent  testimonials,  which  are  now  preserved  in 
Judith,  Lady  Montefiore's  Theological  College  at  Ramsgate. 

March  ^rd. — Sir  Moses  went  to  Lord  Palmerston  to  thank 
him  for  his  great  kindness  and  assistance  in  his  Mission,  and 
to  give  him  an  account  of  all  that  had  occurred  at  Alex- 
andria and  Constantinople.  He  also  spoke  to  him  of  the  Emir 
Beshir,  having  promised  the  latter  when  at  Mali  .o  intercede 
in  his  behalf  with  the  British  Government  Sir  Moses  asked 
his  Lordship  whether  he  might  present  the  Queen  with  a 
copy  of  the  firman  Hatti-Sherif,  to  which  Lord  Palmerston 


Presents  a  Copy  of  the  Firman  to  the  Queen.       299 

replied  that  he  had  no  doubt  Her  Majesty  would  be  h^ppy  to 
receive  it. 

In  accordance  with  his  Lordship's  permission,  Sir  Moses 
presented  the  copy  of  the  firman  to  the  Queen  on  Wednesday, 
the  24th  of  March. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  his  entry  in  the  diary  referring 
to  the  subject: — "Attended  the  Marine  Board  at  11.30;  the 
Alliance  Board  at  12;  at  12.45  returned  home  and  dressed  in 
my  uniform.  Mr  H.  de  Castro,  Mr  Waley,  Mr  H.  H.  Cohen, 
Mr  Wire,  and  Dr  Loewe  came,  and  we  proceeded  to  St  James' 
Palace  to  attend  the  levee.  I  «had  the  honour  to  present  the 
Queen  with  the  firman.  The  following  is  the  copy  of  the  card 
that  was  read  to  Her  Majesty: — 'Sir  Moses  Montefiore,  F.R.S., 
presented  by  the  Right  Honourable  Viscount  Palmerston  on 
his  return  from  the  East,  to  present  a  facsimile  and  translation 
of  the  firman  granted  by  the  Sultan  to  His  Imperial  Majesty's 
subjects  professing  the  Jewish  religion.'  Mr  Wire  and  Dr 
Loewe  were  presented  by  me  to  the  Queen.  I  had  a  most 
gracious  reception,  and  kissed  hands." 

As  a  token  of  royal  approbation,  Sir  Moses  had  the  satisfac- 
tion of  being  informed,  three  months  later,  that  Lord  Normanby 
would  have  great  satisfaction  in  recommending  the  grant  of 
supporters  to  his  armorial  bearings.  "The  supporters  I  wish 
for,"  Sir  Moses  writes  in  his  diary,  "  are  to  exalt  our  holy 
religion  by  displaying  '  Jerusalem '  in  a  more  distinguished 
manner  than  I  could  otherwise  have  done." 

My  readers  may  perhaps  care  to  have  the  opportunity  of 
perusing  the  material  portions  of  this  document,  which  are  as 
follows : — 

"VICTORIA  R. 

"Victoria,  by  the  grace  of  God,  &c.— Whereas  it  has  been  represented 
unto  us,  that  our  trusty  and  well-beloved  Sir  Moses  Montefiore,  &c.,  &c,  in 
consequence  of  information  having  been  received  from  the  East,  that  a  num- 
ber of  Jews  had  been  imprisoned  and  tortured  at  Damascus  and  at  Rhodes, 
and  that  he  had,  in  conformity  to  a  voluntary  offer,  made  at  a  General  Meet- 
ing of  the  London  Committee  of  Deputies  of  the  British  Jews  and  others, 
held  on  the  15th  of  June  last,  proceeded  (accompanied  by  Lady  Montefiore) 
to  Alexandria,  with  the  view  of  proving  the  falsity  of  the  accusation,  and  of 
advocating  the  cause  of  his  unfortunate  and  persecuted  brethren." 

[Here  lollows  an  account  01  what  Sir  Moses  had  accomplished 
in  the  East.] 


300       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiorc. 

"  We,  taking  the  premises  into  our  Royal  consideration,  and  being  desirous 
of  giving  an  especial  mark  of  our  Royal  favour  to  the  said  Sir  Moses  Monte- 
fiore,  in  commemoration  of  these  his  unceasing  exertions  on  behalf  of  his 
injured  and  persecuted  brethren  in  the  East,  and  the  Jewish  nation  at  large, 
have  been  graciously  pleased  to  allow  him  to  bear  Supporters  to  his  Arms, 
although  the  privilege  of  bearing  Supporters  be  limited  to  the  Peers  of 
our  Realm,  the  Knights  of  our  Orders,  and  the  Proxies  of  Princes  of  our 
Blood,  at  Installations,  except  in  such  cases  wherein,  under  particular  circum- 
stances, We  have  been  pleased  to  grant  our  Licence  for  the  use  thereof." 

The  document  proceeds  to  describe  the  supporters  as 
follows : — 

"  On  the  Dexter  side,  Lion  guardant,  and  on  the  Sinister  side,  a  Stag,  each 
supporting  a  Flagstaff,  therefrom  flowing  a  Banner  to  the  dexter,  inscribed 
'Jerusalem'  in  Hebrew  characters." 

During  his  stay  at 'Alexandria,  and  on  his  return  to  London, 
Sir  Moses  addressed  letters  to  the  Jews  at  Damascus,  advising 
them  to  endeavour  to  conciliate  the  Christians  in  that  city,  as 
well  as  those  who  were  known  to  be  their  most  violent  enemies. 
In  connection  with  these  letters,  Raphael  Farkhi,  the  principal 
representative  of  the  Damascus  community,  now  forwarded  to 
him  the  following  important  communication,  wherein  he  satis- 
factorily refuted  certain  calumnies,  which,  according  to  the  Times 
newspaper,  had  been  renewed  against  the  Jews  in  Damascus. 

"In  addition  to  what  I  have  already  stated,"  Signor  Farkhi  writes,  "I 
have  already  mentioned  to  Sir  Moses,  in  a  former  letter,  that  as  soon  as  the 
Pashas  of  His  Majesty  the  Sultan  arrived  at  Damascus,  they  reinstated  me  in 
my  former  office,  the  duties  of  which  are  to  assist  in  the  magistrates'  depart- 
ment in  managing  the  affairs  of  the  city  ;  this  honour  was  conferred  on  me 
in  accordance  with  a  direction  in  the  Sultan's  firman.  When  the  English 
Consul  (Mr  Wherry)  and  the  detractors  whom  I  have  spoken  of,  heard  of 
this  distinction,  so  auspicious  to  our  people,  they  were  moved  with  the  same 
mortification  as  that  which  they  had  exhibited  when  the  arrival  of  Sir  Moses  at 
Alexandria  destroyed  their  plans  and  rescued  us  from  the  cruel  fate  to  which 
they  had  destined  us  ;  and  the  English  Consul  immediately  repaired  to  the 
Governor  of  the  city,  and  recommended  him  to  dismiss  me  and  put  a  non- 
Israelite  in  my  place,  under  whom  I  might  act  as  servant  or  deputy.  But,  by 
the  blessing  of  the  Almighty,  this  attempt  against  my  interest  utterly  failed  ; 
for  the  Governor  declined  to  adopt  the  plan  thus  suggested  to  him.  In  con- 
sequence of  their  envious  scheme  being  thus  defeated,  they  are  seeking  other 
means  to  inflict  injury  on  us,  by  making  a  false  charge  against  the  Israelites 
of  having  insulted  their  religion,  which  they  communicated  to  his  Excellency 
the  Governor  Ali  Pasha,  and  to  the  three  Consuls,  in  order  that  the  charge 
might  be  circulated  in  other  and  distant  countries,  and  a  universal  prejudice 
created  against  the  Israelites. 

"As  a  further  proof  that  the  Israelites  are  innocent  of  the  crime  imputed 
to  them,  I  have  to  mention  that  His  Excellency  Ali  Pasha  sent  for  me  one 
day,  and  after  having  received  an  assurance  from  myself  that  such  a  deed 
would  be  contemplated  with  abhorrence  by  all  our  nation,  he  made  many 
rigid  enquiries  amongst  various  honourable  and  respectable  gentlemen  con 


Communication  from  Raphael  FarkJii.  301 

earning  what  had  been  disseminated  by  our  enemies,  the  result  of  which  was, 
that  he  declared  himself  convinced  of  the  utter  groundlessness  of  the  foul 
report ;  and  he  replied  to  the  heads  of  the  Christians  in  the  city  that  hence- 
forth they  ought  to  treat  us  with  justice  and  equity  ;  and  he  then  commanded 
me  that  I  should  take  upon  myself  to  see  that  my  people  should  behave 
themselves  as  might  best  become  them,  which  commands  I  have  been  mindful 
to  fulfil. 

"  Our  enemies  endeavoured  to  engage  the  Russian  Consul  at  Beyrout  on 
their  side,  but  he  was  not  disposed  to  give  any  credit  to  their  statement*,  and 
therefore  despatched  his  faithful  interpreter  to  Damascus,  to  make  proper 
inquiries  ;  and  the  result  of  his  interpreter's  labours  was  an  opinion  which  to 
us  was  most  flattering.  The  Most  Reverend  the  Patriarch  of  the  Greek 
Church  has  also  recorded  his  testimony,  with  the  Russian  Consul  at  Bey- 
rout,  that  the  accusation  was  utterly  false,  and  could  only  have  emanated 
from  a  malicious  spirit. 

"  Every  member  of  our  community  behaves  with  the  greatest  courtesy  to- 
every  Christian,  whether  rich  or  poor,  and  often  with  marked  humility.  We 
seek  not  to  gratify  any  revengeful  feeling  for  what  has  passed,  but  yet  all 
our  endeavours  have  hitherto  proved  ineffectual.  There  can  be  no  other 
reason  for  that  than  the  anger  and  jealousy  of  the  men,  for  they  wished  and 
intended  to  kill  us,  and  since  Moses,  our  brother,  rescued  us  from  their 
hands,  destroyed  their  plans,  and  frustrated  their  intentions,  this  jealousy 
has  rankled  in  their  hearts,  and  they  seek  to  bring  more  accusations  against 
us,  although  we  are  not  guilty  of  any  wrong." 

Sir  Moses  sent  a  letter  on  the  subject,  with  a  translation  of 
the  original,  to  the  Morning  Chronicle,  which  was  inserted  on 
the  5th  July  1841. 

His  attention  after  this  time  was  directed  to  matters  of  a 
business  character. 

On  the  ;th  of  May  Mr  Hananel  de  Castro,  who  rendered 
most  efficient  services  in  connection  with  the  Mission  to  Damas- 
cus, informed  Sir  Moses  that  he  had  been  elected  President  of 
the  London  Committee  of  Deputies  of  the  British  Jews.  On 
the  i6th  of  that  month  he  attended  an  important  meeting  of  the 
Elders  of  his  Synagogue,  at  which  a  motion  was  brought  forward 
respecting  a  reform  movement  in  the  community.  Four  days 
later  he  presided  over  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Deputies  held 
at  his  own  house  for  the  same  purpose,  at  which  every  member 
of  the  Board,  with  only  one  exception,  attended.  The  debate 
was  warm,  but  not  personal.  Sir  Moses,  nevertheless,  appre- 
hended great  agitation  in  the  community,  and  felt  much  anxiety 
as  to  the  result.  He  entertained  the  most  liberal  principles  in 
matters  of  religion  ;  although  himself  a  staunch  supporter  of  the 
time-honoured  usages  of  his  religion,  he  did  not  interfere  with 
the  opinions  or  acts  of  those  who  differed  from  him  unless  com- 
pelled to  do  so  by  actual  duty.  But  when,  as  President  of  the 


302        Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

Board  of  Deputies,  or  of  any  other  institution,  he  had  to  give 
his  opinion  on  religious  matters,  he  invariably  referred  to  the 
Spiritual.  Head  of  the  community  for  guidance  ;  he  regarded 
a  word  from  him  as  decisive,  and  obeyed  its  injunctions  at 
whatever  cost  to  himself. 

There  was  never  any  doubt  in  his  mind  as  to  the  spirit 
which  should  prevail  in  their  deliberations  on  the  intended 
reform  in  the  community ;  and  he  maintained  that  the  religious 
tenets  of  Israel,  as  revealed  in  the  Code  of  Sinai,  would  invari- 
ably stand  the  test  of  reason. 

"  They  are,"  he  would  add  in  the  words  of  Scripture,  "  to 
show  our  wisdom  and  understanding  in  the  sight  of  nations  ; " 
and  he  did  not  consider  that  he  would  be  acting  in  accordance 
with  the  dictates  of  truth  and  justice  if  he  were  to  accept  lay- 
men, however  learned  they  might  be,  as  authorities  on  religious 
subjects  for  the  guidance  of  the  whole  community. 

Some  of  his  colleagues  at  the  Board,  however,  did  not 
acknowledge  the  authority  of  the  Ecclesiastical  Chief  of  the 
community,  and  relying  entirely  on  their  own  judgment,  would 
not  accept  the  dictates  of  the  ancient  teachers  by  whose  decisions 
and  interpretations  of  the  sacred  text  Hebrew  communities  had 
been  guided  for  thousands  of  years.  The  result  was  that  the 
debates  at  their  meetings  became  very  heated,  and  bore  evidence 
of  the  fervour  displayed  in  a  cause  they  had  so  deeply  at  heart, 
thus  foreshadowing  a  struggle  which  threatened  to  extend  beyond 
the  confines  of  the  Board. 

May  2\st. — Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  attended  the 
Queen's  Drawing-Room,  and  met  with  a  most  gracious  reception. 
The  Duchess  of  Kent  and  the  Princess  Sophia  Matilda  ex- 
pressed pleasure  at  seeing  them.  The*  Duke  of  Cambridge  shook 
Sir  Moses  by  the  hand  in  a  very  friendly  manner,  and  said  he 
was  glad  to  see  him  safe  back,  that  his  efforts  had  done  him  great 
honour,  and  that  he  deserved  much  praise. 

May  2,-^rd. — He  presented  an  address  to  Mr  H.  de  Castro, 
voted  to  him  by  the  Deputies,  in  appreciation  of  his  services  in 
connection  with  the  Mission  of  Damascus.  On  this  occasion  all 
the  Deputies  were  entertained  by  Sir  Moses  at  his  house  in  Park 
Lane. 

A  week  later  he  attended  a  meeting  to  consider  the  means 
for  establishing  a  branch  Synagogue  in  the  West  End,  which, 


Death  of  Sir  Moses  Another.  303 

when  opened  to  the  community,  would  afford  a  practical  proof 
that  the  statutes  of  their  ancient  community  hitherto  prohibiting 
•divine  service  to  be  held  in  any  other  building  than  that  at  Bevis 
Marks,  had  been  reconsidered. 

The  events  of  the  year  continued  to  bring  with  them  much 
anxiety,  owing  to  the  agitated  state  of  the  community  in  con- 
nection with  the  reform  movement.  In  the  month  of  August 
the  Ecclesiastical  Chief  took  what  he  considered  necessary  mea- 
sures to  express  his  opinion  publicly  for  the  guidance  of  those 
who  adhered  to  his  rule,  which  naturally  raised  the  excitement 
of  the  contending  parties,  and  not  unfrequently  disturbed  the 
peace  of  many  a  family  circle. 

The  death  of  the  mother  of  Sir  Moses,  a  most  virtuous  daughter 
•of  Israel,  spread  a  deep  gloom  over  the  whole  family,  and  more 
especially  over  her  beloved  son  Moses,  and  Judith  his  wife. 

His  brethren  in  the  East  appealed  to  Sir  Moses  to  intercede 
with  the  English  Government  to  take  them  under  their  protec- 
tion. They  complained  of  being  compelled  by  local  governors 
to  pay  heavier  taxes  than  any  of  the  non-Israelite  inhabitants. 
Both  Lord  Palmerston  and  his  successor,  Lord  Aberdeen, 
listened  with  great  kindness  to  the  statements  made  to  them  on 
that  subject  by  Sir  Moses.  Lord  Palmerston,  in  reply  to  his 
representations,  said  the  Christians  had  suffered  more  than  the 
Jews  from  the  Governor  being  a  fanatic,  and  added  that  he  (Sir 
Moses)  had  his  authority  to  write  to  the  Jews  in  the  East  that  if 
they  had  any  serious  complaints  to  make,  the  English  Consuls 
would  attend  to  them,  and  forward  them  to  the  Ambassador  at 
Constantinople,  who  would  represent  them  to  the  Ministers  of 
the  Porte.  Sir  Moses  took  the  opportunity  of  speaking  to  his 
Lordship  respecting  Smyrna,  Safed,  and  Damascus,  and  he  had 
the  satisfaction  of  hearing  from  him  that  the  Governor  of  the 
latter  city  would  be  changed  in  consequence  of  the  reports  which 
had  been  made. 

Lord  Aberdeen,  with  whom  he  subsequently  had  an  inter- 
view on  the  same  subject,  said  that  he  saw  no  objection  to  the 
British  Consul  receiving  the  statements  of  grievances  made  by 
the  Jews,  and  transmitting  such  statements  to  the  British 
Ambassador  at  Constantinople,  who  would  be  directed  to  confer 
thereon  with  the  Ministers"  of  the  Porte,  with  a  view  to  the 
redress  of  the  grievances  complained  of. 


304       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

On  Sir  Moses  pressing  the  desire  of  the  Jews  in  the  East  to 
be  brought  under  British  protection,  his  Lordship  replied  that 
he  did  not  see  how  it  could  be  accomplished.  All  the  European 
Powers  were  extremely  jealous  of  any  interference  on  the  part 
of  England.  His  Lordship  added,  however,  that  he  would  con- 
sider the  best  means  to  afford  the  Jews  protection  for  the  sake 
of  humanity  and  justice. 

On  the  /th  of  November,  Sir  Stratford  Canning,  previous  to 
leaving  for  Constantinople,  called  on  Sir  Moses,  and  afterwards 
sent  him  a  note,  appointing  to  see  him  on  the  following  day  at 
twelve  o'clock.  Sir  Moses  accordingly  went  to  him.  The  pur- 
port of  this  interview  was  to  solicit  protection  for  the  Israelites 
in  the  East.  Sir  Moses  informed  him  of  the  directions  given  by 
Lord  Palmerston,  and  Sir  Stratford  said  he  should  be  happy  to 
do  all  that  his  duty  permitted,  and  to  hear  from  Sir  Moses 
whenever  he  pleased.  They  had  a  long  and  interesting  conver- 
sation respecting  the  Jews  and  the  Holy  Land,  and  Sir  Moses 
was  exceedingly  gratified  by  Sir  Stratford's  kindness. 

Amongst  the  numerous  letters  received  by  Sir  Moses  on  this 
matter  was  one  from  Messrs  Grindlay,  Christian  &  Matthews, 
East  India  Agency,  containing  an  extract  from  a  letter  from 
Commodore  Brucks,  of  the  Indian  navy,  which  showed  that  the 
great  esteem  in  which  both  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore 
were  held  by  the  people  in  the  far  East  sometimes  proved 
detrimental  to  the  interest  of  their  admirers.  "  A  Jew,"  it 
stated,  "and  his  wife  had  been  passing  themselves  off  for  Sir 
Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore.  Under  this  supposition  the 
Government  Agent  at  Muscat,  a  Jew  of  the  highest  respecta- 
bility, received  them,  and  did  all  in  his  power  to  make  them 
comfortable.  They  eventually  left,  telling  him  they  would  pay 
when  they  came  back,  leaving  him  more  than  a  thousand 
dollars  out  of  pocket." 

On  reading  this,  Sir  Moses  at  once  expressed  a  desire  to 
ascertain  the  name  of  the  victim  of  the  fraud,  in  order  that  he 
should  not  suffer  any  loss  on  his  account. 


CHAPTER    XXXVII. 

1842. 

PRESENTATION  FROM  HAMBURG  —  SIR  MOSES  MEETS  THE  KING 
OF  PRUSSIA  —  ADDRESS  TO  PRINCE  ALBERT  —  ATTEMPT  ON 
THE  QUEEN'S  LIFE  —  PETITIONS  TO  SIR  MOSES  FROM 
RUSSIA. 


HE  entries  of  the  next  five  years  in  the  diaries  refer  to 
JL  numerous  important  events,  interspersed  with  appeals 
from  communities  to  Sir  Moses  to  plead  the  cause  «f  their 
brethren  before  the  Emperor  of  Russia. 

The  Hamburg  Jews,  who  were  among  the  first  to  support 
their  British  friends  in  the  mission  to  Damascus,  had  a  gold 
medal  struck,  which  was  presented  to  Sir  Moses  and  Lady 
Montefiore  by  Mr  H.  de  Castro.  The  complimentary  address 
which  accompanied  it,  in  speaking  of  the  Queen,  says  :  — 

"  God  bless  Her  Majesty,  and  prosper  her,  whose  enlighten- 
ment knows  how  to  appreciate  and  reward  such  exertions  as  are 
performed  for  the  benefit  of  us  and  ours." 

The  obverse  of  the  medal  bears  a  representation  of  the  arms 
of  Sir  Moses  Montefiore.  The  margin  has  a  verse  in  Hebrew, 
taken  from  Psalm  cxxii.  8  :  "  -p  Q^B>  so  rroTN  Ttt  TIK  \yzb  "  ("  For 
the  sake  of  my  brethren  and  companions  I  will  declare  peace 
unto  thee  ")  ;  and  a  chronogram  in  Hebrew  :  p  "  r£>  f>'sntj»  p'jo  r\y&" 
signifying,  "The  year,  of  .the  pride  of  Israel,"  the  numerical 
value  of  the  dotted  lines  representing  the  date  of  the  Damascus 
Mission,  viz.  :  5601. 

The  reverse  has  a  German  inscription,  which,  rendered  in 
English,  is  :  "  Dedicated  to  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore, 
after  their  return  from  Egypt,  in  the  year  1841,  by  their  co- 
religionists of  Hamburg."  My  esteemed  friend,  the  late  Mr  M. 
Haarbleicher,  exerted  himself  greatly  in  this  matter. 

Unfortunately,  one  night  burglars  got  into  the  drawing-room 
ot  Sir  Moses'  house  at  Park  Lane,  and  took  the  medal,  together 
I.  U 


306       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

with  many  other  valuable  articles.  There  is  only  a  facsimile  of 
the  medal  in  bronze  now  left  in  my  cabinet,  which  the  Com- 
mittee in  Hamburg  kindly  presented  to  me. 

Jamiary  ~^\st. — Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  received  an 
invitation  from  the  Duke  of  Sussex  and  the  Duchess  of  Inver- 
ness to  lunch  with  them  on  the  first  of  February,  as  His  Majesty 
the  King  of  Prussia  had  intimated  to  them  his  intention  of 
honouring  them  with  his  company.  Sir  Moses  went  early  in 
the  morning  of  the  following  day  to  Somerset  House  to  see  the 
King  of  Prussia  admitted  as  fellow  of  the  Royal  Society,  to- 
gether with  Baron  Alexander  von  Humboldt;  and  before  two 
o'clock  he  and  Lady  Montefiore  were  at  Kensington  Palace. 

The  Duke  and  Duchess  received  them  very  kindly,  and  the 
Duke  promised  to  introduce  them  to  his  Royal  visitor.  He  said 
he  was  anxious  that  his  invitation  should  be  forwarded  in  time, 
as  he  was  desirous  of  introducing  Sir  Moses  to  the  King  of 
Prussia,  which  he  did  almost  as  soon  as  the  King  entered  ;  in- 
forming His  Majesty,  at  the  same  time,  of  the  journey  of  Sir 
Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  to  the  East.  The  King,  Sir  Moses 
says,  was  very  gracious  ;  but  remarked  (speaking  of  Padre  Tom- 
maso),  "  but  the  poor  man  is  dead  ;  "  upon  which  Sir  Moses  ven- 
tured to  point  out  to  His  Majesty,  that  it  was  by  no  means 
certain  that  the  man  was  dead.  "  It  was  a  truly  Royal  banquet," 
Sir  Moses  writes,  "about  sixty  persons  being  present.  The  Duke 
made  a  liberal  and  excellent  speech  about  religions  in  general, 
but  the  King  did  not  notice  it  in  his  reply."  They  were  delighted 
with  the  kindness  of  their  Royal  Highnesses,  and  of  those  they 
knew.  Lord  Lansdowne  hoped  they  had  not  forgotten  him. 
Lord  Palmerston  enquired  what  reports  he  had  from  the  East, 
and  whether  the  English  Consuls  were  behaving  better. 

On  the  following  day,  Mr  Attwood,  one  of  the  Directors  of 
the  Imperial  Continental  Gas  Association,  expressed  a  wish  that 
Sir  Moses  should  accompany  him  to  see  the  King  of  Prussia,  who 
had  consented  to  receive  a  deputation  from  the  Association  ;  and 
in  compliance  with  this  wish  he  went  with  them.  He  met  Sir 
J.  L.  Goldsmid  at  the  office,  and  they  proceeded  to  Buckingham 
Palace.  "  There  were,"  Sir  Moses  observes,  "  many  persons 
waiting."  He  saw  there  Lord  Roxley,  Sir  Robert  Inglis,  Sir 
Robert  Adair,  and  many  noblemen  and  clergymen. 

They  were  soon  admitted  to  the  King's  presence,  and  were 


Address  to  Prince  Albert.  307 

very  graciously  received.  Mr  Attwood  read  the  address,  and  the 
King  spoke  a  few  words  to  each  of  them.  He  recognised  Sir 
Moses,  observing  that  he  had  spoken  to  him  on  the  previous  day, 
and  enquired  whether  he  was  settled  in  England ;  the  King 
thought  he  lived  in  Italy.  He  spoke  to  Mr  Attwood  about 
Parliament  and  the  new  buildings,  and  laughingly  said,  he 
supposed  that  the  Association  would  light  them. 

February  ^th. — About  this  time  Sir  Moses  pointed  out  the 
spot  at  Ramsgate  where  it  was  his  wish,  when  it  should  please 
the  Almighty  to  call  him,  that  his  earthly  remains  might  repose, 
with  those  of  his  beloved  wife.  The  spot  was  marked  out  by 
four  hurdles,  which  he  assisted  in  placing  there.  Possibly  the 
illness  of  his  brother's  wife,  which,  a  few  days  after,  terminated 
in  her  death,  cast  a  gloom  over  his  mind,  which  made  him 
consider  it  advisable  to  prepare  himself  for  such  an  event. 

He  was  much  grieved  by  this  family  affliction,  and  remained 
in  the  house  for  several  days ;  owing  to  which  he  was  unable  to 
present  an  address  of  congratulation  to  the  Queen  on  the  birth 
of  the  Prince  of  Wales.  Mr  De  Castro  and  two  other  Deputies 
of  the  London  Committee  of  the  Board  had  to  present  it  instead  ; 
as  also  an  address  to  Prince  Albert,  and  later  on,  one  to  the 
Duchess  of  Kent.  They  were  most  graciously  received,  and  Her 
Royal  Highness  desired  them  to  express  her  great  regret  at  Sir 
Moses'  absence,  and  at  the  cause  of  it.  Colonel  Cooper,  the  next 
day,  by  desire  of  the  Duchess,  wrote  him  a  letter,  to  assure  him 
•of  her  sympathy  on  this  melancholy  occasion. 

In  the  same  month  he  made  a  donation  of  £200  for  the  repair 
of  the  ancient  Synagogue  of  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  com- 
munity, as  it  was  greatly  needed,  and  thereby  induced  others  to 
follow  his  example.  He  also  took  steps  to  have  the  Synagogue 
included  in  the  clause  of  exemption  from  property  tax,  in  which 
he  succeeded,  by  the  kindness  of  Mr  John  Masterman,  who  wrote 
a  letter  to  Mr  Goulbourn  on  the  subject. 

The  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer  promised  that  he  would  so 
alter  the  wording  of  the  Income-Tax  Bill  as  to  meet  Sir  Moses' 
wishes.  Sir  Robert  Peel  also  wrote  to  him  a  letter  to  the  same 
effect. 

May  3  u/.— There  is  an  entry  referring  to  an  attempt  on  the 
Queen's  life.  "  Last  evening,"  he  writes,  "  an  attempt  was  made 
on  the  life  of  our  gracious  Sovereign,  which,  through  the  protec- 


308       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

tion  of  Almighty  God,  was  happily  preserved.  It  is  most 
difficult  to  believe  that  any  mortal  in  his  senses  could  attempt 
such  a  thing.  May  the  God  of  Israel  shield  the  Queen  from  all 
harm,  and  bless  her  with  every  happiness  and  long  life.  I  con- 
vened a  meeting  of  Deputies  to  forward  letters  of  congratulation 
to  the  Queen,  Prince  Albert,  and  the  Duchess  of  Kent,  on  the 
providential  escape  of  the  Queen,  and  went  with  Lady  Monte- 
fiore  and  Dr  Loewe  to  Kensington  Palace  to  enter  our  names 
in  the  visitors'  books  of  the  Duke  of  Sussex  and  the  Duchess  of 
Inverness  ;  afterwards  to  Buckingham  Palace,  in  Prince  Albert's 
book ;  and  Clarence  House,  to  the  Duchess  of  Kent." 

July  2nd. — Attended  a  meeting  at  the  Thatched  House 
Tavern,  St  James  Street,  for  the  purpose  of  selecting  an  artist 
to  carry  out  the  resolution  agreed  to  at  a  previous  meeting  for 
the  erection  of  a  statue  to  Sir  David  Wilkie. 

Sir  R.  Peel,  who  took  the  chair,  proposed  that  a  sub-com- 
mittee should  be  appointed,  consisting  (in  addition  to  the 
officers  already  appointed)  of  the  Duke  of  Sutherland,  the  Duke 
of  Buccleuch,  Lord  Mahon,  Sir  Francis  Clark,  Sir  Thomas 
Mahon,  Sir  Martin  Archer  Shee,  Sir  William  Newton,  Mr 
Phillips,  Sir  Moses  Montefiore,  Mr  Burnett,  Mr  Rogers,  and  Mr 
Henry  Labouchere,  M.P. 

Sir  Moses  was  also  one  of  the  Committee  appointed  to 
watch  the  progress  of  the  statue.  He  had  entertained  a  high 
regard  for  Sir  David  since  making  his  acquaintance  at  Con- 
stantinople, and  was  glad  to  have  the  opportunity  of  showing  it 
on  this  occasion. 

July  24^.— Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  were  honoured 
by  a  visit  from  Viscount  and  Viscountess  Ponsonby.  His  Lord- 
ship, who  had  shown  them  much  kindness  and  attention  during 
their  sojourn  in  the  Turkish  Capital,  spoke  of  the  benefit  which 
the  people  of  the  East  would  derive  from  the  encouragement  of 
industry  among  them.  This  reminded  Sir  Moses  of  a  promise 
which  he  had  made  to  a  very  industrious  person  in  the  Holy 
Land,  and  on  the  same  day  he  sent  a  printing  press  and  fount 
of  type  to  the  value  of  £105  to  Israel  Drucker  in  Jerusalem, 
whose  acquaintance  he  had  made  at  Safed,  during  his  second 
journey  to  the  Holy  Land.  It  was'  this  same  printing  press 
which  the  recipient,  out  of  gratitude  to  Sir  Moses  and  Lady 
Montefiore,  called  "Massat  Moshe  Ve  Yehoodit"  (a  gift  of 


Marriage  of  Baron  James  de  Rothschild's  Daughter.   309 

Moses  and  Judith),  that,  forty-three  years  later,  caused  Professor 
Rohling  of  Prague  to  accuse  Sir  Moses  of  having  printed  a  book 
which  he  (Professor  Rohling)  said  was  intended  to  prove  the 
use  of  blood  for  Jewish  ritual  purposes.  The  printing  press 
which  Sir  Moses  sent  was  accompanied  by  a  beautifully  written 
Scroll  of  the  Pentateuch. 

August  2nd. — Sir  Moses  received  a  deputation  from  the 
representatives  of  the  New  Synagogue  at  Liverpool,  requesting 
his  mediation  in  a  communal  dispute.  He  strongly  advised 
their  reunion  with  the  old  Synagogue,  and  promised  to  see  the 
deputation  again. 

A  few  days  later  he  and  Lady  Montefiore  left  England  for 
Paris,  to  be  present  at  the  wedding  of  the  daughter  of  Baron 
James  de  Rothschild. 

He  describes  that  event  in  the  following  words  : — 

"Paris,  Hotel  Windsor,  Wednesday,  August  \"jth. — The  great  day  has  at 
length  arrived,  and,  happily,  our  presents  also  :  they  were  sent  last  night  to 
the  Bois  de  Boulogne.  Ours  was  similar  to  that  we  gave  to  Baron  Charles 
and  Louisa  de  Rothschild  ;  a  large  and  handsomely-carved  ewer  and  basin, 
worth  .£180.  We  left  Paris  before  twelve  o'clock,  and  on  reaching  the  Bois 
de  Boulogne,  found  the  party  already  assembled,  all  the  ladies  most  elegantly 
dressed.  A  procession  was  formed  by  a  number  of  choristers,  led  by  the 
j/iinistre  officiant,  and  preceded  by  the  Grand  Rabbin.  Then  followed  the 
bridegroom  with  his  brother,  Baron  Lionel  de  Rothschild,  as  best  man,  and 
on  his  left  Baron  James  ;  afterwards,  Barons  Salamon,  Anthony,  and  the 
other  relatives  and  friends  present.  We  proceeded  to  a  magnificent  canopy 
of  white  satin  and  gold  embroidery,  erected  in  the  garden  :  the  ground  was 
covered  with  velvet  carpets.  The  path  leading  to  the  canopy  was  covered 
with  crimson  cloth  strewn  with  roses.  The  choir  was  singing  Hebrew  hymns 
all  the  time.  Then  followed  the  bride,  led  by  her  mother  and  Mrs  de  Roths- 
child, the  other  ladies  following.  Under  the  canopy  stood  the  bride  and 
bridegroom,  their  parents,  Barons  Anselm,  Lionel,' and  myself.  The  marriage 
ceremony  was  performed  by  the  Grand  Rabbin,  who  delivered  an  excellent 
discourse  in  French.  After  the  ceremony  the  whole  party  walked  to  the 
Swiss  cottage  in  the  garden,  where  a  sumptuous  breakfast  was  laid.  No 
toasts  or  healths  were  drunk,  but  grace  was  said.  Afterwards  the  gentlemen 
went  back  to  Paris  to  dress,  the  ladies  being  accommodated  in  the  house. 
We  were  back  again  by  four  o'clock,  and  now  found  the  ladies  most  mag- 
nificently attired.  At  seven  we  entered  the  banquetting  room.  It  was  in  a 
perfect  blaze  of  light  :  only  once,  at  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury's,  have 
I  seen  such  splendour.  The  repast  consisted  of  all  the  luxuries  the  world 
produces.  The  gardens  were  brilliantly  illuminated.  The  host  and  hostess 
were  most  attentive.  It  was  past  eleven  when  we  left." 

On  the  day  after  the  wedding  he  called  on  Rechid  Pasha, 
the  Turkish  Ambassador,  and  writes  in  his  Diary : — 

"  The  Pasha  received  me  instantly,  and  told  me  how  pleased 
he  was  to  meet  me  in  Paris,  and  how  happy  it  made  him  that 


3io       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

he  was  able  to  assist  me  in  Constantinople  to  further  the  cause 
of  justice  and  humanity.  He  said  he  hoped  to  see  me  again  in 
Turkey.  He  asked  me  whether  I  had  seen  Lord  Ponsonby,  and 
what  I  thought  of  the  disturbances  in  Manchester  and  the  manu- 
facturing districts.  I  assured  him  that  they  were  of  no  con- 
sequence. He  asked  me  to  be  permitted  to  introduce  his  sons 
to  me  :  three  very  fine  boys,  the  eldest  about  sixteen,  the  others 
ten  and  eight  years  old.  The  youngest  was  very  fair,  and 
appeared  to  be  the  favourite.  The  Ambassador  told  me  that 
the  note  he  had  sent  me  yesterday  was  written  by  the  youngest. 
After  chatting  a  little  longer  I  took  my  leave,  the  Pasha  begging 
of  me  to  preserve  him  my  friendship.  I  gave  him  Dr  Loewe's 
Circassian -Turkish  and  English  Dictionary,  with  which  he 
seemed  much  pleased,  and  asked  me  to  thank  Dr  Loewe  in 
his  name  for  it.  Later  we  paid  our  farewell  visits  to  all  the 
Barons  de  Rothschild  and  their  families,  and  prepared  for  our 
departure." 

September  \$th. — Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  received  at 
Park  Lane,  through  the  Baroness  Lionel  de  Rothschild,  a  beauti- 
ful silver  gilt  cup  made  from  a  design  by  Professor  Oppenheim, 
and  sent  to  them  as  a  present  by  the  Hebrew  community  of 
Frankfurt-on-Main,  accompanied  by  an  address  signed  by  all 
the  members.  He  also  received  a  splendid  album  from  Magde- 
burg, the  covers  of  which  were  ornamented  with  two  beautiful 
paintings,  also  executed  by  Professor  Oppenheim,  one  represent- 
ing Moses  installing  Joshua  in  his  office  as  leader  of  Israel, 
and  the  other  a  copy  of  Benda's  picture  "  By  the  rivers  of 
Babylon  there  we  sat  down  ;  yea,  we  wept  when  we  remembered 
Zion  "  (Psalm  cxxxvii.),  copied  by  the  same  artist,  and  signed 
by  Dr  Philipson,  the  Spiritual  Head  of  the  Hebrew  congregation 
of  Magdeburg,  and  near  1 500  other  persons,  many  of  them  non- 
Israelites  belonging  to  the  clergy  and  nobility. 

These  two  testimonials  are  now,  with  many  others,  preserved 
in  the  Lecture  Hall  of  the  College  in  Ramsgate. 

October  nth. — Colonel  C.  H.  Churchill  paid  them  a  visit  at 
Ramsgate  previous  to  his  leaving  England  for  the  East.  The 
Colonel  having  married  a  young  widow  at  Damascus  was  very 
anxious  to  return  to  her  at  .Bey  rout,  where  he  intends  residing, 
having  adopted  Syria  as  his  country.  Sir  Moses  and  Lady 
Montefiore  requested  him  to  take  with  him  some  contributions 


Petition  to  Sir  Moses  from  Riissia.  311 

towards  the  support  of  the  poor  Jews  in  the  East,  which  he 
gladly  promised  to  do  for  them,  expressing  his  high  regard  for 
the  character  and  industrious  habits  of  the  Jews. 

October  \"th. — A  petition  was  received  from  the  Hebrew 
congregation  of  Riga,  imploring  Sir  Moses  to  intercede  on  their 
behalf  with  the  Emperor  of  Russia.  Many  others,  from  various 
places,  on  the  same  subject  followed.  Most  of  the  principal 
communities  in  Germany,  France,  Italy,  and  America  entreated 
him  to  accede  to  the  petitions  of  their  brethren  in  Russia  and 
Poland  ;  and  Sir  Moses  now  began  seriously  to  consider  the 
desirability  of  serving  the  cause  of  humanity  anew. 

In  the  same  month  he  and  the  Hebrew  communities  in  Eng- 
land sustained  a  severe  loss  by  the  death  of  their  Ecclesiastical 
Chief,  the  Rev.  Dr  Solomon  Hirschell. 

"  I  was  at  Bury  Street  at  twelve  o'clock,"  he  writes  in  his 
diary,  "on  October  3ist,  and  found  our  esteemed  Chief  Rabbi 
apparently  in  a  state  of  insensibility  ;  his  chamber  was  filled 
with  his  friends,  and  his  bed  closely  surrounded  by  the  members 
of  the  Ecclesiastical  Court,  and  other  persons.  They  were 
saying  prayers ;  he  was  very  calm,  and  at  12.25  his  spirit  fled 
from  its  earthly  tenement  to  receive  that  reward  which  his 
righteousness  in  this  world  secured  to  him ;  eternal  happiness 
and  peace  to  his  memory  !  " 

Sir  Moses  was  entirely  guided  by  him  in  all  matters  concern- 
ing religion,  and  felt  the  loss  of  such  a  friend  and  counsellor 
acutely. 

He  appears  to  have  been  roused  by  that  sorrowful  event  to 
fresh  acts  of  benevolence,  and  believing  it  possible  to  render 
some  service  to  the  Jews  in  Russia,  he  thought  it  necessary  now 
to  make  himself  fully  acquainted  with  all  the  recent  publications 
referring  to  that  country  and  its  inhabitants,  and  obtained  infor- 
mation from  German  and  English  travellers  who  had  just 
returned  from  visiting  Warsaw,  St  Petersburg,  Moscow,  and 
other  important  cities  in  the  Czar's  vast  empire. 

November  %th. — The  entry  in  his  diary  contains  the  following 
lines: — "Extremely  cold  morning;  nevertheless  dear  Judith 
and  I  left  Park  Lane  before  eight  o'clock  to  walk  to  Synagogue. 
It  was  very  well  attended,  and  prayers  were  offered  up  for  the 
late  lamented  Chief  Rabbi.  We*  remained  in  the  city,  and 
attended  afternoon  and  evening  prayers  at  our  own  (the  Portu- 


3 1 2       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte fiore. 

guese)  Synagogue.  Afterwards  we  rode  home  to  Park  Lane. 
Dr  Loewe  accompanied  us,  and  agreed  to  go  with  us  to  Russia 
and  Poland  whenever  that  should  seem  necessary." 

November  \$th,  igth,  and  271/1. — The  number  of  petitions  to 
go  to  Russia  increased  considerably,  especially  entreating  Sir 
Moses  to  accept  an  invitation  from  Count  Ouvaroff,  the  Minister 
of  Public  Instruction,  who  wished  him  to  be  present  at  the 
deliberation  of  the  government  referring  to  the  improvement  of 
the  method  df  education  among  the  Hebrews  in  the  Russian 
Empire.  The  following  entries  refer  to  the  subject : — 

"  December  %th. — Went  to  Chevalier  Benkhausen,  the  Russian 
Consul-General,  and  spoke  with  him  respecting  a  letter  I  had 
received  from  Dr  Lilienthal  of  St  Petersburg,  referring  to  an 
invitation  from  Count  Ouvaroff  to  proceed  to  the  Russian 
metropolis,  and  he  recommended  my  seeing  the  Russian  Am- 
bassador. 

"  Accordingly  I  wrote  to  the  latter,  requesting  the  honour  of 
an  interview  with  him,  and  received  his  reply  that  he  would 
receive  me  the  next  day 

"  December  gt/i. — Had  an  audience  of  the  Russian  Ambassa- 
dor, Baron  Brunnow,  and  spoke  to  him  regarding  our  intended 
journey.  He  entered  into  all  particulars  with  me,  and  promised 
to  make  all  necessary  enquiries. 

"The  next  day  we  dined  at  Mrs  de  Rothschild's,  and  met 
Baron  and  Baroness  Brunnow,  the  Austrian  Ambassador  and  his 
wife,  Lady  Pellew  and  her  daughter  Lady  Walpole,  and  many 
other  distinguished  persons.  Baron  Brunnow  spoke  to  me  about 
Dr  Lilienthal's  letter,  and  said  he  would  write  to  Count  Ouvaroff, 
and  would  ascertain  for  him  the  authenticity  of  Dr  Lilienthal's 
communication.  The  Baron  advised  me,  if  I  went  to  Russia,  to 
proceed  in  the  first  instance  to  St  Petersburg,  and  speak  with  the 
Emperor  himself,  and  not  to  go,  as  I  had  intended,  to  the  several 
cities  in  Poland  previously  to  my  going  to  St  Petersburg." 

December  25^.— Notwithstanding  the  multiplicity  of  matters 
referring  to  the  North  which  now  filled  his  mind,  he  did  not  for 
a  moment  neglect  the  interest  of  the  East.  He  made  an  agree- 
ment with  a  physician,  Dr  S.  Frankel,  to  allow  him  a  salary  for 
three  years,  to  furnish  the  requisite  medicines,  and  to  pay  his 
expenses  to  Jerusalem,  on  condition  that  he  should  attend  the 
poor  of  the  Holy  Land  gratuitously. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

1843. 

ADDRESS  AND  TESTIMONIAL  FROM  THE  JEWS— SIR  MOSES' 
SPEECH  IN  REPLY — DEATH  OF  THE  DUKE  OF  SUSSEX — 
THE  DEPORTATION  UKASE  IN  RUSSIA— OPENING  OF  THE 
NEW  ROYAL  EXCHANGE — SIR  MOSES  MADE  SHERIFF  OF 
KENT. 

yANUAR  Y  26tk,  1843.— Sir  Moses  ordered  from  the  Apothe- 
caries' Hall  drugs,  surgical  instruments,  and  fittings  for  a 
dispensary  in  Jerusalem,  and  saw  them  packed  and  forwarded 
to  the  Holy  City. 

February  2jth. — A  large  number  of  his  Jewish  brethren  in 
the  United  Kingdom,  Jamaica,  Barbadoes,  and  Gibraltar,  pre- 
sented him  with  a  testimonial  of  respect  and  gratitude  in  com- 
memoration of  the  many  personal  sacrifices  made,  and  the 
philanthropy  displayed  by  him  and  Lady  Montefiore  during  his 
Mission  to  the  East,  Anno  Mundi  5600  (1840). 

It  was  designed  by  Sir  George  Hayter,  modelled  by  E. 
Bailey,  R.A.,  and  executed  by  Messrs  Mortimer  &  Hunt, 
and  is  an  exquisite  piece  of  workmanship,  both  as  regards  the 
design  and  execution.  It  is  exclusively  ornamental,  adapted 
for  no  special  purpose,  and  is,  as  it  were,  a  kind  of  minia- 
ture monument.  It  is  three  and  a  half  feet  high,  weighs 
1319  ounces  of  silver,  and  has  a  large  base.  The  most  pro- 
minent figure,  which  surmounts  the  whole  work,  represents 
David  conquering  the  lion  and  rescuing  the  lamb  (as  in  First 
Book  of  Samuel  xvii.  34  and  35),  and  is  emblematical  of  the 
victory  over  oppressive  force,  and  the  delivery  of  innocence 
effected  by  the  Mission.  This  is  the  chefd'ceuvre  of  the  work, 
which  is  full  of  fine  allegorical  details. 

Immediately  under  this  figure  are  four  bas-reliefs,  represent- 
ing respectively,  (i)  the  landing  of  Sir  Moses  and  his  party  at 
Alexandria  ;  (2)  the  audience  with  the  Sultan  at  Constantinople 


314  '     Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

on  the  granting  of  the  firman  ;  (3)  the  liberation  of  the  prisoners 
at  Damascus  ;  and  (4)  the  public  thanksgiving  on  the  return  of 
Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  to  London.  On  the  four 
corners  of  the  base  are  exquisite  figures  in  frosted  silver,  two  re- 
presenting Moses  and  Ezra,  the  great  deliverers  of  their  people 
in  ancient  times,  and  the  other  two  some  of  the  accused  Jews  of 
Damascus,  one  in  chains,  bowed  down  by  grief,  the  other  in  an 
attitude  of  thanksgiving,  with  the  fetters  lying  broken  at  his 
feet. 

The  chairman  (Mr  H.  de  Castro),  accompanied  by  the  Com- 
mittee, prefaced  the  presentation  by  reading  an  address,  engrossed 
on  vellum.  A  vellum  scroll  was  also  added,  containing  the  series 
of  resolutions  adopted  at  the  public  meeting  in  1840,  and  the 
name  of  every  contributor  to  the  testimonal,  copied  from  the 
lists  furnished  to  the  Committee,  and  arranged  according  to- 
residence. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  address  : — 

"  ESTEEMED  SIR, — We  have  long  looked  forward  to  the  present  as  a 
moment  of  high  and  honourable  gratification,  when  we  should  come  forward 
on  behalf  of  the  Jewish  community  to  present  to  you  this  manifestation  of 
their  gratitude  and  esteem.  The  services  which,  at  a  period  of  excitement, 
you  rendered,  in  a  foreign  clime,  to  religion  and  humanity,  were  such  as  are 
rarely  called  into  requisition.  The  alacrity,  spirit,  and  zeal  with  which  you 
embarked  into  the  cause,  were  only  equalled  by  the  liberality,  judgment,  and 
decision  you  evinced  in  the  accomplishment  of  the  end  you  had  in  view.  The 
restoration  of  the  oppressed  to  liberty,  and  a  full  refutation  of  the  vile 
calumnies  brought  against  our  faith — both  these  great  objects,  by  the  aid  of 
Gracious  Providence,  have  been  attained.  The  grateful  thanksgivings  of  the 
liberated  prisoners  pronounce  you  their  deliverer.  The  firman  of  the  Sultan 
denies  these  calumnies,  of  which  they  had  been  the  unfortunate  victims. 

"  It  may  be  truly  said  of  you,  Sir,  and  of  your  amiable  Lady — the  com- 
panion of  your  anxieties  and  dangers — that  your  services  were  '  the  labours 
of  the  heart,'  works  of  all  others  most  deserving  of  distinction  and  reward. 

"  May  you  ever  be  the  'harbinger  of  glad  tidings  to  Zion,'  and  long  live 
to  continue  your  watchful  care  to  all  who  need  your  solace  and  support.  How 
will  your  suffering  brethren  in  Jerusalem  hail  your  late  acts  of  munificence — 
the  founding  a  dispensary  for  the  poor  of  our  community,  now  dwelling  in. 
the  land  of  our  fathers. 

"  In  the  name  of  the  Jewish  people  we  present  to  you  this  testimonial  of 
your  great  and  successful  labours,  with  the  hope  that  the  blessing  of  our 
Heavenly  Father  may  vouchsafe,  to  you  and  Lady  Montefiore,  many,  many 
happy  years  to  contemplate  and  enjoy  it. — On  behalf  of  the  Committee, 

''  HAN  AN  EL  DE  CASTRO,  Chairman" 

"27  Adar  5603— 2;th  February  1843." 

To  this  address  Sir  Moses  made  the  following  reply  : — 

"  Mr  De  Castro  and  Gentlemen, — I  receive  with  unfeigned  satisfaction, 
and,  I  trust,  with  humility,  the  address  which  you  have  offered  to  me.  I 


Testimonial  of  respect  and  gratitude,  presented  to  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  by  their 
Jewish  Brethren  in  the  United  Kingdom  and  the  Colonies. 

Set  Vol.  I. ,  pa f 1 31 4. 


Sir  Moses'  Speech  in  reply  to  Address.  315 

accepted  with  fear  and  trembling  the  responsible  yet  honourable  task  con- 
fided to  me  by  my  brethren,  not  trusting  in  my  own  strength  or  wisdom, 
but  relying  upon  the  saving  strength  of  \he  Lord  our  God.  I  felt  that  I 
should  be  sustained  by  the  prayers  and  sympathies  of  my  brethren,  and  of 
the  enlightened  friends  of  humanity  throughout  the  world.  Aided  by  these 
prayers  and  sympathies,  and  supported  by  the  Government  of  our  country, 
your  Mission  was  permitted  by  Divine  providence,  while  in  Egypt,  to- 
become  the  instruments  of  giving  liberty  to  the  captive,  of  opening  the 
prison  to  them  that  were  bound,  of  restoring  to  their  wives  and  families 
those  who,  by  unjust  persecution,  had  been  compelled  to  abandon  their 
homes.  We  have  everywhere  asserted  their  innocence  of  the  atrocious 
crime  laid  to  their  charge,  and  in  the  face  of  all  men  have  vindicated  the 
purity  and  divinity  of  our  holy  religion. 

"At  Constantinople  our  success  was  complete.  There  we  had  the 
satisfaction  of  obtaining  from  the  Sultan  a  Hatti  Sherif,  which  asserts  the 
innocence  of  our  brethren  after  a  full  examination  of  the  witnesses  against 
them,  and  of  their  religious  writings,  and  declares  that  the  accusations 
against  our  religion  were  based  in  falsehood,  and  entertained  only  by 
the  prejudiced  and  the  ignorant.  That  noble  writing  has  also  laid  the 
foundation  for  improving  the  civil  condition  of  our  brethren  .in  the  Turkish 
Dominions.  To  that,  as  well  as  to  the  documents  which  have  been  trans- 
mitted to  the  committee,  I  refer  with  exultation,  as  proofs  that  the  rulers  of 
the  East  have  imbibed  more  liberal  notions,  have  set  themselves  against 
the  use  of  torture,  have  secured  to  our  brethren  an  equality  of  civil  rights,, 
and  thus  given  them  a  deeper  interest  in  the  prosperity  of  the  countries  in 
which  they  reside.  That  you  approve  of  these  acts,  and  testify  your  approba- 
tion of  the  whole  proceedings  of  the  Mission,  and  believe  that  I  have,  to  the 
best  of  my  ability,  fulfilled  its  objects,  will  be  to  me  a  source  of  continual 
satisfaction  through  life,  and  when  I  am  about  to  quit  this  earthly  scene 
will  cheer  the  last  moments  of  my  existence. 

"  You  are  pleased  to  speak  of  the  dangers  and  perils  to  which  I  have 
been  exposed.  I  assure  you  that  I  count  them  as  nothing  when  I  consider 
the  noble  object  of  the  Mission,  and  the  entire  success  with  which  it  has- 
pleased  God  to  crown  our  labours.  Without,  however,  your  continual 
advice  and  support,  I  might  not  have  been  able  to  accomplish  that  which 
has  been  done,  because,  when  all  around  appeared  gloomy  and  dark,  and  I 
thought  that  amidst  the  contending  struggles  of  nations  for  power  the  rights 
of  humanity  would  be  sacrificed  and  the  liberties  of  our  brethren  utterly 
destroyed,  1  was  cheered  and  sustained  by  the  recollection  of  your  prayers 
and  support,  and,  relying  upon  the  God  of  our  fathers,  I  persevered  until  I 
was  satisfied  that  the  objects  of  the  Mission  had  been  fully  accomplished. 
Nor  is  it  one  of  the  least  consequences  attending  our  labours,  that,  in 
accomplishing  such  objects,  we  have  been  enabled  to  dissipate  prejudice 
and  to  remove  ignorance,  so  that  now  our  persecutors  are  compelled  to  look 
with  respect  upon  our  nation.  May  I  not,  therefore,  assert  that  a  new  and 
brighter  era  is  dawning  upon  those  who  have  for  ages  been  the  subjects  of 
calumny  and  oppression. 

"  In  prosecuting  the  labours  of  your  Mission  I  received  most  valuable 
assistance  from  our  friends  the  family  de  Rothschild,  from  each  of  its 
members  at  London,  Paris,  Naples,  Frankfort,  and  Vienna,  both  by  intro- 
ductions to  their  extensive  connections  in  the  East,  as  well  as  by  their 
unremitted  personal  exertions  in  Europe  ;  nor  can  I  forget  my  friend  Mr 
George  Samuel,  who  was  ever  ready  to  lend  his  aid  at  Constantinople, 
should  also  be  doing  great  injustice  to  my  own  feelings  were  1  to  let  this  oppor- 
tunity pass  without  referring  to  the  valuable  assistance  of  my  friends,  Mr  Wire 
and  Dr  Loewe,  who  accompanied  me  throughout  the  whole  of  my  long 


316       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

journey,  and  whom  I  shall  ever  esteem  as  men  devoted  to  the  interests 
of  humanity. 

"  1  cannot  conclude  this  short  and  imperfect  reply  to  your  congratula- 
tions without  referring  to  the  kind  expressions  in  which  you  speak  of 
my  beloved  wife,  whom  you  truly  characterise  as  the  participator  in  all 
my  toils  and  anxieties.  She  has,  indeed,  shared  my  toils  but  diminished  my 
anxieties,  and  aided  me  in  the  prosecution  of  my  labours. 

"  Gentlemen,  to  you,  to  your  excellent  president,  but,  above  all,  to  the 
God  of  our  fathers,  I  offer  thanks  that  I  have  been  permitted  to  fulfil  the 
objects  of  your  Mission,  and  with  devout  gratitude  I  resign  into  your  hands 
the  trust  committed  to  my  care,  praying  that  peace,  prosperity,  truth,  and 
union  may  ever  prevail  in  Israel." 

The  death  of  the  Duke  of  Sussex  took  place  at  this  time, 
and  Sir  Moses  deeply  lamented  the  loss  sustained  by  his 
demise. 

The  Lord  Chamberlain  sent  him  a  command  to  attend  the 
funeral  on  the  4th  of  May,  and  Lord  Dinorben  wrote  a  letter 
to  inform  him  that  a  card  of  invitation  had  been  sent,  and  that 
he  would  be  permitted  to  follow  in  his  own  carriage. 

Sir  Moses,  describing  the  funeral,  says  : — 

"  I  left  home  after  six  in  the  morning,  and  was  at  Kensington  Palace  a 
quarter  before  seven.  The  company  began  to  assemble  between  seven  and 
eight :  I  suppose  there  were  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  persons.  The 
procession  commenced  at  half-past  eight ;  the  roads  were  lined  with  people, 
«very  window  filled,  also  many  scaffoldings.  The  chapel  at  Kensal  Green 
was  solemn  and  grand,  being  filled  with  the  grand  officers  of  state,  the  Duke 
of  Wellington,  Sir  Robert  Peel,  &c.,  &c.  We  saw  none  of  the  Tories  or 
Royal  Family  at  the  palace,  but  in  the  chapel  there  were  the  Duke  of  Cam- 
bridge, chief  mourner  ;  Prince  Albert,  &c.  The  ceremony  was  over  at 
twelve.  I  reached  home  at  a  quarter  to  one,  and  after  breakfast  proceeded 
at  once  with  Lady  Montefiore  to  the  city  to  attend  the  funeral  sen  ice  in  the 
Portuguese  Synagogue,  where  Dr  Loewe  (who  filled  the  office  of  oriental 
linguist  and  Hebrew  lecturer  to  his  late  Royal  Highness)  delivered  a  dis- 
course, at  the  conclusion  of  which  we  repaired  to  the  great  Synagogue  of  the 
German  community.  There  was  a  funeral  service, but  no  discourse."  "The 
Jews,"  Sir  Moses  says,  "  have  lost  an  excellent  friend  :  may  he  be  rewarded 
with  eternal  bliss  for  his  kindness  to  suffering  humanity." 

On  May  3Oth  the  Earl  of  Thanet  informed  Sir  Moses  that 
Lord  Lyndhurst  had  given  directions  for  the  insertion  of  his 
name  in  the  commission  of  the  peace  for  the  County  of  Kent. 

Oh  July  1 3th  the  first  step  was  made  for  the  repeal  ot  the 
Deportation  Ukase  in  Russia. 

"  I  called  at  Baron  Brunnow's,"  he  writes.  "  He  was  just  stepping  into  his 
carriage,  dressed  in  full  uniform,  going  10  celebrate  a  mass  on  some  public 
occasion  ;  but  he  very  kindly  insisted  on  my  going  into  his  library,  and 
returned  with  me.  I  gave  him  the  letter  I  had  received  from  Konigsberg, 
which  he  read,  also  the  Ukase.  He  said  he  believed  the  Minister  of  Justice 
thought  it  was  an  act  of  mercy  to  remove  the  Jews  from  the  temptation  01 


The  Deportation  Ukase  in  Russia.  317 

smuggling,  of  which  crime  many  had  been  guilty,  and,  no  doubt,  the  Emperor 
was  of  thai  opinion,  which  was  the  cause  of  the  order.  '  It  was  possible,'  he 
continued,  '  if  I  were  to  be  at  St  Petersburg,  by  speaking  with  one  and  an- 
other, my  influence  might  cause  its  revocation  ;'  but  he  advised  me  to  write 
to  Count  Ouvaroff,  and,  if  I  showed  him  the  letter,  he  would  suggest  such 
alterations  as  he  thought  would  be  advisable.  He  recommended  that  no 
public  steps  should  be  taken  in  the  way  of  petition  to  the  Emperor,  as  there 
were  two  years  still  before  the  Ukase  would  take  effect ;  he  thought  it  a  bad 
measure." 

This  statement  corroborated  what  some  of  the  letters  from 
Russia  previously  addressed  to  him  on  the  subject  had  already 
stated. 

A  few  days  later  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  were 
present  at  an  entertainment  given  by  Mrs  Rothschild  to  the 
King  of  Hanover,  and  met  the  Duke  of  Cambridge,  the  Duchess 
of  Gloucester,  and  most  of  the  nobility,  besides  all  the  Ambassa- 
dors. They  were  introduced  to  the  Marchioness  of  Ely  at  her 
own  request,  and  she  complimented  them  on  the  result  of 
the  Damascus  Mission.  Several  of  the  Ambassadors  spoke  to 
him  on  the  recent  reports,  respecting  the  state  of  the  Jews  in 
Russia. 

June  ist,  1844. — The  Emperor  of  Russia  arrived  in  London. 

June  6th. — The  entry  states  : — "  I  have  been  looking  with 
deep  anxiety  from  morning  till  evening  for  a  letter  from  Baron 
Brunnow.  I  wrote  this  week  to  Lord  Aberdeen,  soliciting  an 
interview  to-morrow.  I  will  do  everything  I  possibly  can  to 
approach  the  Emperor,  and  pray  for  our  brethren  in  his  do- 
minions. I  also  wrote  to  Mr  Dawson  on  the  same  subject ;  it 
engrosses  all  my  thoughts." 

June  St/i. — "  Baron  Lionel  de  Rothschild  accompanied  me  to 
see  Lord  Aberdeen.  He  said  Baron  Brunnow  had  intimated  to 
him  the  impossibility  of  His  Imperial  Majesty  receiving  any 
deputation.  I  showed  his  Lordship  the  Address  from  the 
London  Committee  of  Deputies  of  the  British  Jews,  and  asked 
his  advice  about  sending  it  to  Baron  Brunnow,  for  him  to  pre- 
sent it  on  our  behalf,  and  whether  he  thought  there  was  anything 
in  it  that  could  do  harm.  His  Lordship  thought  there  was  not : 
the  Emperor,  he  said,  was  very  firm  when  he  had  once  made  up 
his  mind  on  a  subject. 

"  Lionel  and  I  then  walked  to  Sir  Robert  Peel's.  He  was 
just  going  to  mount  his  horse,  on  his  way  to  the  Queen.  He 
heard  all  we  had  to  say  respecting  the  address,  and  said  he  had 


3 1 8       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore.. 

heard  it  whispered  that  the  Emperor  would  see  Sir  Moses 
Montefiore,  but  the  Emperor's  stay  was  so  short  that  he  could 
not  tell  whether  he  would  be  able  to  do  so." 

The  address  was  subsequently  given  by  Sir  Moses  to  Baron 
Brunnow,  who  promised  to  send  it  to  St  Petersburg.  In  the 
following  month,  on  July  2Qth,  an  entry  states  that  the  Emperor 
received  the  address  graciously,  but  his  visit  to  this  country 
would  be  so  short  that  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  receive  the 
deputation. 

On  August  9th  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  proceeded 
to  Birmingham,  in  company  with  several  of  their  relatives  and 
friends,  Sir  Moses  having  been  invited  by  the  Hebrew  congre- 
gation of  that  town  to  lay  the  first  stone  of  a  Hebrew  National 
School,  a  task  which  he  performed  amid  the  cheers  of  many 
hundreds  of  persons  of  various  religious  denominations. 

September  \st. — The  cause  of  two  poor  Poles  who  had  been 
imprisoned  for  hawking  without  a  licence  attracted  Sir  Moses' 
attention.  The  men  having  excellent  characters,  he  determined 
on  going  to  Chelmsford,  to  see  them  there  in  the  Springfield 
Gaol,  where  they  were  then  confined  under  sentence  for  three 
months,  and  to  endeavour,  if  possible,  to  obtain  their  release. 
They  had  only  been  six  or  seven  weeks  in  England,  and  could 
speak  but  a  few  words  of  English. 

Next  morning  he  went  to  Springfield  Gaol  and  saw  the 
Governor,  who  had  the  two  men  brought  to  him.  One  had 
been  a  dyer,  and  the  other  had  kept  a  hardware  shop  near 
Warsaw.  Both  men  lived  whilst  in  prison  on  bread  and  water, 
refusing  to  eat  either  the  soup  or  meat  allowed  to  the  prisoners. 
The  Governor  recommended  him  a  man  to  draw  up  a  petition 
for  them.  Sir  Moses  immediately  sent  for  him,  and  instructed 
him  as  to  the  matter  of  the  petition.  The  Governor  kindly  sent 
a  man  to  wait  till  it  was  written,  and  Sir  Moses  then  forwarded 
the  petition  to  the  prison,  where  the  Governor  had  it  signed  by 
the  two  prisoners,  and  returned  to  Sir  Moses,  who  was  just  able 
to  take  the  last  train  back. 

September  ^rd.— He  called  at  Somerset  House,  and  left  the 
petition  from  Springfield  Gaol,  and  three  days  later  had  the 
gratification  of  receiving  a  letter  from  the  Secretary  of  Stamps 
and  Taxes  to  say  that  the  Board  had  been  pleased  to  remit  the 
Crown's  share  of  the  penalties  against  the  two  prisoners. 


Sir  Moses  made  Sheriff  of  Kent.  3 1 9 

October  2^tk. — Sir  Moses  is  present  at  the  opening  of  the 
New  Royal  Exchange  by  the  Queen ;  he  had  a  seat  in  the 
subscribers'  room,  where  the  Royal  banquet  was  given.  The 
Queen,  Prince  Albert,  the  Duke  of  Cambridge,  &c.,  presided  at 
the  head  table :  about  two  hundred  persons  dined  there. 

October  2Wi. — The  Baroness  Brunnow  invited  him  to  meet 
the  Grand  Duke  of  Russia;  and  Sir  Moses,  entertaining  the 
hope  of  finding  there  the  opportunity  to  serve  the  cause  of  his 
brethren,  gladly  accepted  the  invitation. 

November  \2th. — He  was  nominated  Sheriff  of  Kent,  and  on 
the  i  yth  inst.  his  friends  and  most  of  his  neighbours  congratu- 
lated him  on  being  elected  to  that  high  office.  His  mind, 
however,  was  not  joyfully  attuned  to  the  occasion.  His 
thoughts  at  one  moment  were  wandering  away  from  happy 
England  to  the  burning  sands  of  the  African  deserts,  and  at 
another,  to  the  frozen  rivers  and  the  snow-covered  forests  of 
the  north  of  Russia.  This  was  owing  to  a  visit  which  he  had 
received  from  Mr  Erith,  a  Mogador  merchant,  who  gave  him 
a  very  cheering  prospect  of  the  success  which  might  be  ex- 
pected if  he  were  to  appeal  to  the  Emperor  of  Morocco  for 
a  firman,  to  place  the  Jews  in  the  same  position  as  his  other 
subjects  ;  and  to  some  letters  he  received  from  several 
trustworthy  sources,  giving  disheartening  accounts  of  the  state 
of  the  Jews  in  Russia,  to  the  following  effect : — 

"  The  Ukase  ordering  the  Jews  to  remove  from  the  frontier 
provinces  to  the  interior  is  now  being  carried  into  effect.  This 
measure  affects  nearly  one  hundred  thousand  persons.  The 
families  receive  passports,  delivered  by  the  Magistrates;  in- 
dicating the  place  to  which  they  are  to  go,  and  only  a  few 
days  after  they  have  received  the  passport,  they  must  sell  all 
their  property  and  convert  it  into  money." 


CHAPTER    XXXIX. 

1844. 

AFFAIRS  IN  MOROCCO — LETTER  TO  THE  EMPEROR — HIS   REPLY 
—DEPUTATION   TO  SIR   ROBERT   PEEL  —  DEATH    OF   LADY 

MONTEFIORE'S   BROTHER   ISAAC — SIR   MOSES   SETS   OUT 
FOR  RUSSIA. 

THE  first  few  months  of  the  year  1844  appeared,  according 
to  a  statement  in  the  Konigsberg  Gazette,  to  give  some 
hope  for  an   improvement  in  the  condition   of  Sir  Moses'  co- 
religionists in  Russia. 
The  paper  says  : — 

"  The  famous  Ukase  against  the  Jews,  of  the  2oth  April  1844  (2nd  May), 
seems  to  be  adjourned.  The  Emperor  himself  has  given  orders  to  the 
Minister  of  the  Interior  to  present  him  with  a  minute  report  on  the  situation 
and  property  of  the  Jews  in  the  villages  and  frontier  towns,  before  the 
terrible  Ukase  is  put  into  execution.  This  sudden  change  has  produced  so 
much  the  more  joy  among  the  unfortunate  Jews,  as  rigorous  measures  had 
already  been  taken  for  the  execution  of  the  Ukase,  as  well  as  the  decree 
of  the  Senate,  dated  January  10  (22)  1884.  It  is  to  Sir  Moses  Montefiore 
and  the  interference  of  many  members  of  the  nobility  that  thirty  thousand 
Jews  perhaps  owe  the  entire  revocation  of  this  law." 

As  for  Morocco,  where,  during  the  bombardment  of  Moga- 
dor, the  Jews,  together  with  other  inhabitants,  had  been  great 
sufferers,  Sir  Moses  wrote  a  letter  to  the  editor  of  the  Times, 
directing  his  attention  to  the  fact,  and  showing  that  the  com- 
mittee in  London  had  correctly  estimated  the  number  of  the 
sufferers.  Consignments  of  money,  food,  and  clothing,  had,  he 
observed,  already  been  transmitted  to  Mogador  to  trustworthy 
agents,  for  immediate  distribution  among  the  sufferers.  The 
subscriptions  to  the  day  he  wrote  exceeded  .£2500. 

Sir  Moses  also  attended  a  meeting  of  the  Mogador  Com- 
mittee, at  which  they  agreed  to  send  a  letter  to  the  Emperor  of 
Morocco,  and  to  request  the  Earl  of  Aberdeen  to  instruct  Mr 
E.  W.  Drummond  Hay,  H.B.  Majesty's  Consul-General  at 
Tangiers,  to  forward  it  to  the  Emperor. 


Deputation  to  Sir  Robert  Peel.  321 

By  desire  of  Sir  Moses  I  wrote  an  Arabic  letter  to  the 
Emperor,  which  Sir  Moses  signed  and  despatched  to  his  Lord- 
ship, for  transmission  to  His  Majesty. 

February  lot/i. — Sir  Moses  proceeded  to  the  Judges'  Cham- 
bers, Chancery  Lane,  accompanied  by  Mr  D.  W.  Wire,  and  then 
went  before  Baron  Parke,  and  was  sworn  into  office  (as  Sheriff 
of  the  County  of  Kent).  The  Baron  very  kindly  wished  him  a 
pleasant  year,  and  hoped  to  have  the  pleasure  of  coming  down 
and  seeing  him  at  the  Assizes.  Mr  Wire  was  also  sworn  as  his 
Under-Sheriff. 

February  i8//j. — The  fees  due  for  his  Shrievalty,  £2,  6s.  8d.r 
had  already  been  offered  to  him,  but  on  seeing  Mr  Temple,  he 
requested  him  to  send  them  to  his  Under-Sheriff.  Notwith- 
standing the  duties  his  new  office  imposed  on  him,  he  en- 
deavoured scrupulously  to  discharge  those  of  his  Presidency 
of  the  Board  of  Deputies  of  British  Jews. 

Agreeably  to  a  resolution  adopted  at  a  previous  meeting  of 
that  body,  held  for  the  consideration  of  a  petition  to  Parliament 
for  the  removal  of  all  civil  disabilities,  he  and  the  other  members, 
of  the  Board  waited  the  next  day  on  Sir  Robert  Peel. 

The  subject  being  of  interest  to  friends  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty,  I  here  give  the  words  of  Sir  Moses,  and  those  of  Sir 
Robert  Peel's  reply. 

Sir  Moses,  addressing  Sir  Robert,  said  :  "  We  have  the 
honour  of  waiting  on  you  as  a  deputation  from  the  Metropolitan 
and  Provincial  Congregations  of  British  Jews,  to  ascertain 
whether  Her  Majesty's  Government  be  favourably  disposed  to 
meet  their  wishes  for  the  removal  of  the  civil  disabilities  under 
which  they  labour,  and,  from  the  advancement  of  liberal  feeling 
in  all  classes  where  religious  questions  are  concerned,  they  are 
led  to  believe  the  present  moment  most  fitting  for  them  to  be 
placed  on  an  equal  footing  with  their  fellow-subjects." 

Sir  Robert  replied  that  he  had  been  considering  some 
measure  on  the  subject  to  propose  to  his  colleagues,  when  he 
received  a  letter  from  Sir  J.  L.  Goldsmid,  which  stated  that  the 
Jews  would  not  be  satisfied  with  any  measure  less  than  the 
whole.  Seeing  there  was  some  difference  he  would  not  proceed. 
However,  after  some  consideration,  he  said  he  would  see  Sir 
J.  L.  Goldsmid,  and  would  write  to  them  to  come  to  him  within 
a  fortnight,  adding  that  he  .was  fully  aware  that  they  would  feel 
I. 


322      Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

as  well  satisfied  with  a  part,  and  that  they  should  not  thereby 
be  precluded  from  hereafter  getting  more. 

March  ^rd. — As  High  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Kent,  Sir 
Moses  opened  the  Court  at  Canterbury  for  the  election  of  a 
member  of  Parliament  in  the  room  of  Sir  E.  Knatchbull.  After 
delivering  an  appropriate  address  to  the  electors,  the  meeting 
was  proceeded  with,  and  eventually  Mr  William  Deedes  was 
returned. 

The  meeting  was  conducted  in  a  most  orderly  manner.  Mr 
William  Deedes  of  Sandling  Park  was  elected  to  represent  them 
in  Parliament,  and  thanks  were  voted  to  the  High  Sheriff. 

March  $th. — Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  attended  the 
levee,  where  Sir  Moses  was  presented  to  the  Queen  by  Sir 
James  Graham,  and  had  the  honour  to  kiss  hands  on  his 
appointment  as  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Kent. 

Sir  Robert  Peel,  who  was  standing  within  three  or  four  paces 
of  the  Queen,  came  out  of  the  circle  as  Sir  Moses  came  up,  and 
spoke  to  him.  He  said  the  suggestion  made  the  previous  day 
respecting  the  removal  of  civil  disabilities  seemed  good ;  and  he 
requested  Sir  Moses  to  be  so  good  as  to  communicate  with  Baron 
Rothschild  and  Sir  David  Salomons. 

March  loth. — At  Maidstone  Sir  Moses  went  in  state  to  meet 
Lord  Denman.  About  a  mile  from  town  his  Lordship  got  out 
-of  his  own  carriage  and  entered  that  of  Sir  Moses,  the  Rev.  G. 
W.  Sicklemore  being  with  the  latter.  They  proceeded  to  the 
:Sessions  House,  and  opened  the  Commission ;  then  went  to  the 
Judge's  lodgings,  where  Lord  Denman  robed,  and  received  the 
Mayor  and  Corporation.  They  left  to  go  before  the  Judge  to 
church.  Lord  Denman  said  to  him  that  he  was  ready  to  go,  but 
Sir  Moses  might  do  as  he  pleased.  The  latter  therefore  only  con- 
ducted him  to  his  carriage,  and  returned  to  his  lodgings  to  wait 
there  for  him  instead  of  accompanying  him  and  the  Rev.  G.  W. 
Sicklemore  to  church.  They  went  there  in  Sir  Moses'  carriage. 
Baron  Alderson  arrived  a  few  minutes  after  they  had  left,  and 
remained  with  Sir  Moses  till  Lord  Denman  returned,  when  Sir 
Moses  took  his  leave  and  went  home.  At  seven  he  and  Rev. 
G.  W.  Sicklemore  went  to  fetch  the  Judges,  and  dined  with 
Lord  and  Lady  Romney. 

March  i^th. — At  nine  Sir  Moses  went,  as  usual,  to  fetch  the 
Judges— the  Lord  Denman  and  Sir  Edward  Hall  Alderson. 


Attend  State  Ball  at  Buckingham  Palace.        323 

On  their  way  to  the  Court  they  called  for  Mr  Serjeant  Dowling. 
As  they  were  going  there  Sir  Moses  requested  their  Lordships' 
permission  to  be  absent  the  next  day,  as  it  was  his  Sabbath,  to 
which  they  very  kindly  consented.  Sir  Moses  sat  for  some  time 
in  each  Court.  Lord  Denman  told  him  he  had  received  a  letter 
from  the  Bishop  of  Durham,  expressing  his  desire  to  vote  for  the 
Jews'  Relief  Bill,  and  sent  his  proxy  for  the  purpose  ;  but  Lord 
Denman  said  there  would  be  no  occasion  for  it,  as  their  Lord- 
ships would  not  divide.  At  five,  on  his  asking  Baron  Alderson's 
consent  to  his  leaving,  the  latter  most  kindly  said  to  him,  "  I 
know  ;  six  o'clock,"  and  shook  him  warmly  and  kindly  by  the 
hand.  Sir  Moses  then  took  leave,  and  returned  to  his  lodgings. 

Friday  2%th. — "  I  received  a  letter,"  the  entry  in  his  diary 
reads,  "  from  Mr  Addington,  forwarding  another  to  me  by  desire 
of  the  English  Ambassador  in  Morocco.  Dr  Loewe  read  to  me 
his  translation  of  the  same.  It  is  from  Ben  Idrees,  the  Wazeer 
of  the  Emperor  of  Morocco,  written  to  me  by  order  of  His 
Majesty,  in  reply  to  the  petition  of  the  Mogador  Committee.  It 
states  that  the  Hebrew  nation  enjoys  throughout  the  empire  the 
same  privileges  as  the  Mooslimeen,  and  the  Hebrew  nation  is 
highly  regarded  by  him. 

May  I9///. — Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  attended  Her 
Majesty's  State  Ball  at  Buckingham  Palace.  Sir  Moses  was 
dressed  in  his  uniform,  and  Lady  Montefiore  wore  a  dress  of 
superb  tissue  "  d'or  et  cerise,"  elegantly  trimmed  with  gold  lace 
and  ribbons,  and  a  profusion  of  diamonds.  They  left  Park  Lane 
at  nine,  and  it  was  ten  when  the  long  string  of  carriages  allowed 
them  to  reach  the  Palace.  "  During  the  evening,"  Sir  Moses 
wrote,  "  1500  persons  were  there ;  the  rooms  were  magnificently 
decorated  ;  the  dancing  was  in  two  rooms ;  supper  at  two  o'clock. 
Nothing  could  have  been  more  splendid.  The  Queen,  God  bless 
her,  looked  very  beautiful,  and  in  good  health  and  spirits.  We 
left  much  delighted  and  pleased  with  the  honour  we  had 
enjoyed." 

After  witnessing  the  splendour  of  the  State  Ball  we  find  him 
actively  engaged  at  Birmingham  and  Preston,  visiting  most  of 
the  humble  dwelling-houses  of  the  working  classes.  Being 
desirous  of  having  three  persons  from  Jerusalem  taught  the  art 
of  weaving,  he  went  to  see  a  man  in  Preston,  who  had  been  re- 
commended to  him  as  an  intelligent  and  clever  workman,  and 


324      Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

made  an  agreement  with  him  for  the  above  purpose.  "  I  wish," 
Sir  Moses  said,  "  to  help  our  brethren  in  the  Holy  Land  in  all 
their  efforts  to  get  bread  by  their  own  ^industry,  and  pray  to 
Heaven  they  may  succeed." 

July  \st. — Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  went  to  welcome 
the  Rev.  Dr  N.  M.  Adler,  Chief  Rabbi  elect  of  the  German 
Hebrew  Congregations  in  the  British  Empire,  on  his  arrival  at 
Dover,  and  were  present  the  next  day  at  his  installation  in  the 
Great  Synagogue  in  London.  The  Synagogue  was  handsomely 
decorated,  and  crowded  with  the  Mite  of  all  the  Jewish  congrega- 
tions. A  most  appropriate  and  solemn  service  was  performed,, 
and  our  Gentile  brethren  showed  their  interest  in  the  event,  by 
causing  the  bells  of  the  neighbouring  churches  to  be  rung. 

November  \6th. — A  special  delegate  arrived  from  Poland  to 
entreat  Sir  Moses,  in  the  name  of  many  thousands  of  his  brethren,. 
to  intercede  in  their  behalf  with  the  Russian  Government,  and  to 
proceed  at  once  to  St  Petersburg  to  make  known  their  cause  to 
the  Emperor  himself. 

The  subject  at  that  time  greatly  engrossed  his  mind  ;  he  had 
no  rest,  either  by  day  or  by  night,  on  account  of  his  anxiety  to 
hasten  to  their  succour,  and  determined  to  set  out  on  his  journey 
as  soon  as  his  year  of  Shrievalty  expired.  Meanwhile  he  called 
on  Baron  Brunnow,  who  promised  to  give  him  letters  of  intro- 
duction to  his  friends,  and  to  several  ministers  at  St  Petersburg,. 
if  he  went  there.  He  thought  the  Emperor  would  ask  him  to 
visit  his  co-religionists  in  his  Empire.  His  going  to  St  Petersburg 
could  do  no  harm,  or  he  would  not  give  him  letters.  Sir  Moses, 
Baron  Brunnow  remarked,  had  received  an  invitation  from  the 
Minister  of  Public  Instruction,  two  years  previously,  to  go  there, 
as  he  wished  to  have  the  benefit  of  his  counsel  respecting  the 
establishment  of  Hebrew  schools,  and  he  thought  this  constituted 
a  claim  on  Sir  Moses  to  go.  Baron  Brunnow  also  recommended 
Sir  Moses  to  obtain  permission  to  act  as  he  thought  best,  with 
reference  to  the  address  of  the  Board  of  Deputies  of  the  British 
Jews  to  the  Emperor ;  and  advised  his  going  as  an  English 
gentleman,  his  character  being  so  well  known,  remarking  that 
the  cause  would  not  be  benefited  by  his  acting  as  representative 
of  the  Board  of  Deputies. 

The  year  1846  begins  with  a  sad  occurrence  in  the  family. 
Mr  Isaac  Cohen,  the  brother  of  Lady  Montefiore,  a  man  highly 


Sir  Moses  set  out  for  Riissia.  325 

esteemed  for  his  excellent  character  and  benevolent  disposition, 
died  suddenly.  Though  this  was  a  cause  of  much  grief  to  both 
Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore,  they  did  not  consider  themselves 
in  any  way  justified  in  delaying  the  necessary  preparations  for 
their  self-imposed  Mission  to  Russia. 

Sir  Moses  called  again  on  Baron  Brunnow,  who  said  that  he 
could  neither  advise  him  to  go  or  to  stay,  but  said  he  might  be 
assured  that  the  Emperor's  object  was  not  that  of  conversion,  but 
rather  to  render  the  Jews  more  useful  subjects.  He  advised  him 
not  to  go  till  Count  Nesselrode  returned  from  Rome  to  St  Peters- 
burg. Soon  after  this  interview,  Sir  Moses  again  saw  the  Ambas- 
sador at  which  the  latter  recommended  him  not  to  go  to  Russia, 
and  held  out  very  little  hope  of  the  object  of  his  journey  being 
accomplished.  Nevertheless,  Sir  Moses  resolved  on  going,  say- 
ing that  as  he  had  been  invited  to  discuss  the  subject  of  schools, 
and  was  then  out  of  office,  he  should  go.  Baron  Brunnow  then 
advised  its  being  kept  as  quiet  as  possible.  He  promised  to  give 
him  a  letter  to  Count  Nesselrode,  and  suggested  that  he  should 
go  direct,  and  as  quickly  as  possible.  Subsequently  he  advised 
him  to  see  Lord  Aberdeen,  and  get  a  letter  of  introduction  to 
Lord  Bloomfield,  the  British  Ambassador  at  St  Petersburg ; 
also,  to  see  Sir  Roderick  Murchison,  who  could  give  him  useful 
advice,  and  to  endeavour  to  obtain  an  introduction  to  Prince 
Michael. 

February  \%th. — Sir  Moses  called  on  Lord  Aberdeen,  who 
received  him  kindly,  and  promised  to  give  him  letters  to  the 
British  Ministers  at  St  Petersburg  and  Berlin. 

February  2-/fh. — A  solemn  prayer  was  offered  by  the  united 
congregations  of  the  British  Empire  for  the  success  of  his 
philanthropic  mission  to  Russia. 

March  \st. — Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  went  to  Dover, 
and  arrived  safely  the  same  day  at  Ostend ;  and  on  the  follow- 
ing Sunday  I  met  them  in  Berlin,  according  to  our  previous 
arrangement,  to  accompany  them  to  St  Petersburg. 

March  loth. — Sir  Moses  called  on  the  Earl  of  Westmoreland 
to  present  to  him  his  letter  of  introduction  from  the  Earl  of 
Aberdeen.  Having  acquainted  him  with  the  object  of  his 
journey  to  St  Petersburg,  and.  mentioned  Baron  Brunnow's 
suggestion  to  facilitate  our  journey,  his  Lordship  replied  that  the 
Russian  Ambassador  was  absent,  but  that  he  would  give  him  a 


326      Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Monte  fa  re. 

letter  to  Monsieur  Fonton,  his  representative.  His  Lordship 
hoped  to  see  him  on  his  return.  We  then  went  to  the  Russian 
Embassy,  and  delivered  to  Monsieur  Fonton  his  Lordship's  letter. 
That  gentleman  said  he  would  give  Sir  Moses  a  letter  to  the 
officer  at  the  frontier,  but  he  had  chosen  a  very  unfavourable 
time  for  his  journey,  and  had  better  remain  five  or  six  days 
longer  at  Berlin.  The  waters  were  out,  it  would  be  impossible  to 
pass,  and  he  would  be  detained  on  the  road.  There  was  a 
gentleman  present  in  the  office  who  told  us  he  had  arrived  on 
the  previous  night  from  St  Petersburg,  but  had  experienced  the 
greatest  difficulty,  and  was  the  only  person  who  had  succeeded 
in  getting  through,  as  it  was  quite  out  of  the  question  for  a 
carriage  to  pass,  and  we  should  be  compelled  to  remain  on  the 
road. 

This  information  was  very  distressing,  but  Sir  Moses  was 
determined  to  go  on,  and  only  stop  when  we  should  find  it  too 
dangerous  to  go  forward. 

The  same  day  we  left  Berlin,  and  proceeded  via  Konigsberg 
and  Tilsid  to  Mitau. 

Friday,  the  2Otk  March.—  A  deputation  of  the  Hebrew  com- 
munity came  to  welcome  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  at  the 
Post  House,  at  St  Olia,  the  last  stage  before  Mitau,  to  express 
their  gratitude  to  them  for  what  they  had  effected  in  the 
Damascus  Mission,  and  to  beg  they  would  accept  their  hos- 
pitality during  their  sojourn  at  Mitau.  Sir  Moses  thanked  them 
for  their  kindness  in  coming  so  many  miles  to  meet  us,  but 
declined  accepting  their  offer,  as  he  wished  to  travel  as  privately 
as  possible.  As  we  entered  the  town,  hundreds  of  persons  ran 
by  the  side  of  the  carriage  to  the  hotel.  We  had  splendid 
apartments  there,  and  were  grateful  for  our  safety,  as  we  had 
suffered  very  much  from  cold,  heavy  snows,  and  horrible  roads, 
and  had  frequently  been  obliged  to  travel  all  night. 

Not  wishing  to  attract  any  notice  (in  compliance  with  the 
suggestion  of  Baron  Brunnow),  we  refrained  from  leaving  the 
house  for  the  whole  day,  and  from  attending  Synagogue,  which 
was  a  painful  deprivation  to  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 
Many  persons  called,  but  Sir  Moses  was  under  the  necessity  of 
refusing  to  see  anyone.  We  had  excellent  dinners — a  dozen 
dishes,  served  on  silver ;  but  when,  in  the  evening,  we  sent  for 
the  bill,  wishing  to  pay  for  our  dinners  of  that  and  the  previous 


Perils  of  Russian  Travelling.  327 

day,  we  found  that  they  had  been  prepared  at  the  house  of 
Madame  Johanna  Davidoff,  a  lady  of  this  town,  and  she  would 
not  allow  us  to  pay  for  anything. 

Sir  Moses  wanted  to  give  her  a  costly  present,  but  she 
declined  accepting  it.  "  I  am,"  she  said,  "  amply  repaid  by  the 
great  happiness  afforded  me  to  prepare  a  humble  meal  for  those 
who  come  from  a  distant  land,  and  brave  the  inclemency  of  a 
Russian  winter,  to  serve  the  cause  of  humanity.  May  all  the 
Heavenly  blessings  alight  on  them  ! " 

We  left  Mitau  in  the  evening.  In  front  of  the  hotel  hun- 
dreds of  persons  were  waiting  to  see  us  set  off.  When  we 
reached  Obay,  on  the  south  side  of  the  Dwina,  opposite  Riga, 
at  10.35,  we  found  the  river  still  covered  with  ice,  but  in  a  weak 
and  dangerous  condition.  Our  carriages  were  deemed  too 
heavy  to  be  passed  over ;  but  after  considerable  hesitation,  they 
were  allowed  to  be  conveyed  across,  though  at  a  great  expense 
and  at  our  own  risk.  The  wheels  were  taken  off,  as  well  as  all 
the  luggage,  and  they  were  then  placed  on  sledges  and  drawn 
by  men  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  Sir  Moses  and  Lady 
Montefiore  and  their  attendants  were  waiting  at  the  inn  till  1.30 
P.M.,  when  we  all  walked  across.  We  had  great  difficulty  in 
walking ;  the  ice  was  wet  and  slippery,  with  numerous  danger- 
ous holes.  Not  two  minutes  before  we  passed,  a  man  fell  into 
one  of  these  holes,  and  was  drowned.  A  similar  accident  nearly 
awaited  one  of  our  party :  the  ice  broke  under  him,  and  one  leg 
went  through,  but  his  body  falling  across  the  ice,  he  was  soon 
extricated  from  his  perilous  position.  It  was  impossible,  Sir 
Moses  said,  "  to  express  the  alarm  we  felt  in  crossing."  It  took 
us  twenty  minutes  to  accomplish. 

We  walked  to  the  hotel,  and  were  followed  by  hundreds  01 
people.  Shortly  afterwards  a  deputation  of  the  Hebrew  com- 
munity, and  many  others,  came  to  welcome  us,  but  Sir  Moses 
declined  seeing  them,  for  the  reasons  already  stated.  He  re- 
quested me  to  see  them,  and  explain  to  them  his  object  in 
depriving  himself  of  the  pleasure  of  expressing  personally  to 
them  his  thanks  for  their  civilities  and  attention. 

We  only  remained  at  Riga  a  short  time,  to  recover  a  little, 
and  to  dry  our  clothes,  and  then  proceeded  on  our  journey. 

March  26th.— We  arrived  at  Narva,  where  we  remained  over 
Sabbath.  The  weather  was  most  dismal. 


CHAPTER    XL. 
1846. 

PERILS  OF  RUSSIAN  TRAVELLING  IN  WINTER— ARRIVAL  AT  ST 
PETERSBURG— INTERVIEWS  WITH  COUNT  NESSELRODE 
AND  THE  CZAR— COUNT  KISSELEFF'S  PREJUDICES. 

1\/T ARCH  29//A — Snow   had   again    fallen   heavily,    and    on 

arriving  at  Jamburg  we  found  the  ice  in  such  a  bad  state 

that  grave  fears  were  entertained  as  to  the  possibility  of  crossing 

the  River  Lugu.     The  officer  in  charge  repeatedly  refused  to 

allow  us  to  cross. 

Neither  bedsteads  nor  bedding  being  obtainable,  Sir  Moses 
and  Lady  Montefiore  had  a  kind  of  bed  prepared  on  the  floor  in 
a  very  small  and  low  room,  and  I  had  a  bundle  of  straw,  in 
another  room,  for  my  couch  ;  it  was,  however,  so  warm  there, 
.and  the  air  so  very  oppressive,  that  I  was  obliged  to  get  up  in 
the  middle  of  the  night,  and  take  a  walk  outside  the  house. 

Jamburg,  March  y>th. — At  seven  in  the  morning  I  crossed 
the  Lugu  ;  there  was  not  much  ice  on  the  river.  The  officer 
told  me  he  would  have  three  boats  lashed  together  to  take  the 
carriages  over.  I  returned  to  Sir  Moses  to  bring  him  the  good 
news,  and  to  prepare  for  our  departure.  I  had  scarcely  been  at 
home  an  hour  when  the  ice  came  down  the  river  in  great  quan- 
tities. Sir  Moses  accompanied  me  to  look  at  it,  and  decided  not 
to  cross,  as  we  should  have  incurred  a  great  risk  by  doing  so. 
At  last  towards  evening  the  officer  came  and  told  us  that  he 
would  employ  soldiers  to  launch  the  great  barge,  and  would 
come  for  us  when  he  was  ready.  We  continued  in  painful  sus- 
pense awaiting  his  arrival  till  a  few  minutes  before  seven,  when 
he  came  and  said  "All  was  ready."  Sir  Moses  and  Lady 
Montefiore  went  in  their  carriage.  I  and  the  rest  of  the  party 
walked  down  to  the  water  side.  The  carriages  were  safely  put 
on  a  large  barge,  and  soon  launched  into  the  stream,  but  when 


Perils  of  Russian  Travelling  in  Winter.         329 

in  the  middle  it  struck  on  some  large  stones,  and  they  were  in 
the  greatest  peril.  The  barge  remained  for  nearly  an  hour  fixed 
to  one  spot.  Happily,  after  great  exertions  on  the  part  of  the 
soldiers,  it  was  got  off". 

The  officer  then  conducted  us  into  his  own  boat,  in  which, 
besides  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore,  were  also  two  servants, 
the  officer,  and  a  gentleman  with  despatches  from  the  Russian 
Government,  and  we  were  towed  across,  though  not  without 
some  danger  from  the  ice  which  was  driving  down  the  current  in 
great  masses,  and  which  our  boatman  found  great  difficulty  in 
avoiding.  Had  they  struck  it  must  have  proved  fatal,  but 
Heaven  guarded  us,  and  we  landed  in  safety.  We  were  one  hour 
in  crossing  from  the  house  on  the  west  bank  to  the  Post  House 
at  Jamburg,  and  had  more  than  a  hundred  men  to  assist  us. 
The  officer  was  most  civil  and  attentive,  and  refused  to  accept 
any  present. 

March  $\st. — We  left  Jamburg  last  night  with  the  intention 
of  travelling  through  the  night,  but  we  found  the  road  so  dread- 
fully bad,  in  many  places  covered  with  snow  and  ice  and  full  of 
ruts,  that.  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  deemed  it  most 
prudent  to  stop  at  Opolje,  which  was  reached  at  one  in  the 
morning.  We  found  warm  and  excellent  accommodation  at  the 
station,  and  instantly  threw  ourselves  on  the  sofas  in  our  clothes, 
and  slept  soundly.  We  started  again  after  six.  The  roads  were 
so  extremely  bad  that  we  were  at  last  compelled  to  leave  our 
carriages,  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore,  as  well  as  myself  and 
the  rest  of  our  party,  having  to  walk  through  the  snow,  between 
six  and  seven  versts,  and  arrived  dreadfully  fatigued  at  Ischer- 
kowitz,  where  we  remained  three  hours  for  rest  and  refreshment. 
We  then  had  a  pleasant  drive  in  a  little  open  carriage  placed  on 
a  sledge  and  drawn  by  two  horses,  but  it  was  very  cold.  We 
reached  Kaskowa  one  hour  before  our  own  carriages. 

April  ist. — We  left  Kaskowa,  passed  through  Kipeen,  and  a 
stage  later  arrived  at  Stretna.  From  this  place  to  St  Petersburg 
is  seventeen  and  a  half  versts.  The  road  is  here  well  macadamised ; 
on  either  side  of  it  are  the  country  seats  of  the  nobility.  Up  to 
this  place  we  had  had  as  many  as  eight,  ten,  or  twelve,  and  some- 
times even  a  greater  number  of  horses  put  to  the  carriage,  now 
the  number  was  limited  to  three,  we  were  told,  by  order  of  the 
Government.  The  driver  remained  standing  all  the  time  (while 


33O       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

driving  furiously)  on  a  small  piece  of  iron,  which  served  as  a  step 
to  get  up  to  the  coachman's  seat.  At  about  three  o'clock  we 
arrived  at  St  Petersburg.  After  our  passports  had  undergone 
the  necessary  examination,  we  drove  to  the  place  where  apart- 
ments had  been  taken  for  us,  but  found  them  unsuitable,  and 
had  to  search  some  time  before  we  succeeded  in  engaging  rooms 
at  the  Hotel  de  Prusse. 

St  Petersburg,  April  2nd. — We  went  to  His  Excellency  the 
Hon.  T.  A.  D.  Bloomfield,  who  received  us  immediately.  Sir 
Moses  gave  him  his  letters  of  introduction,  and  acquainted  him 
with  the  object  of  his  visit  to  the  Russian  metropolis.  He  also- 
showed  him  the  letters  of  introduction  to  Count  Nesselrode  which 
he  had  received  from  Sir  Robert  Peel  and  Baron  Brunnow. 

His  Excellency  received  Sir  Moses  very  kindly,  wrote  to 
Count  Nesselrode,  enclosing  Sir  Moses'  letters  to  him,  and 
eventually  obtained  an  appointment  for  Sir  Moses  for  the 
following  Sunday. 

April  Afth — Both  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  found  the 
climate  very  trying.  Visitors  who  called  on  them  reported  that 
there  was  not  a  house  in  the  city  that  had  not  three  or  four  of 
its  inmates  confined  by  illness  (an  epidemic  catarrh,  generally 
called  in  Russia  and  Germany,  "  Grippe " ),  which  had  greatly 
increased  the  mortality  of  the  city. 

April  yh. — At  one  o'clock  Sir  Moses  visited  Count  Nessel- 
rode. We  were  at  once  received  by  him  in  a  very  friendly 
manner.  He  said  he  had  already  spoken  to  the  Emperor  about 
Sir  Moses.  The  latter  informed  the  Count  of  the  two  purposes 
for  which  he  came  to  St  Petersburg,  viz.,  the  establishment  of 
Jewish  schools,  and  the  repeal  of  the  two  Ukases  for  the  removal 
of  the  Jews  from  the  frontiers.  This,  the  Count  said,  was  not  in 
his  department,  but  the  Government  was  at  present  engaged  on 
the  amendment  of  those  Ukases,  and  that  he  should  be  happy 
to  render  Sir  Moses  all  the  assistance  in  his  power  in  furtherance 
of  his  objects.  Sir  Moses  then  spoke  to  him  respecting  the  cul- 
tivation of  land,  and  the  Count  said  that  his  views  were  in  strict 
accordance  with  those  of  the  Government ;  that  he  wished  to  raise 
the  Jews,  and  make  them  more  useful  members  of  society  ;  that 
the  cream  of  the  Jews  were  in  England,  France,  and  Germany, 
but  that  those  in  the  ancient  provinces  of  the  Russian  Empire 
and  Poland  were  engaged  in  low  traffic  and  contraband  pursuits. 


Interview  with  Count  Ouvaroff.  331 

Sir  Moses  expressed  his  deep  regret  to  hear  the  Minister's 
opinion,  for  which  he  was  not  prepared.  He  then  said  to  his 
Excellency  that  he  should  be  happy  to  be  presented  to  the 
Emperor  ;  the  Count  told  him  he  would  ask  His  Majesty,  and 
requested  Sir  Moses  to  call  on  Count  Ouvaroff,  the  Minister  of 
Public  Instruction,  at  one  o'clock  on  the  following  day.  He 
again  repeated  his  desire  to  render  him  every  assistance. 

In  the  course  of  the  day  Sir  Moses  left  his  card  and  letters  of 
introduction  at  Count  Orloff's. 

April  6th. — We  called  to-day  on  Count  Ouvaroff,  with  whom. 
we  remained  an  hour  and  a  half  in  conversation.  He  assured  Sir 
Moses,  for  himself  and  on  the  part  of  his  colleagues,  that  the 
measures  of  the  Government  for  the  organisation  of  the  Jewish 
schools  were  designed  for  their  improvement  and  happiness,  and 
not  with  the  slightest  intention  of  conversion  to  another  religion, 
but  to  make  them  more  useful  members  of  society,  and  to  fit 
them  for  advancement.  He  also  assured  Sir  Moses  that  the 
Government  had  some  plans  for  a  more  liberal  treatment,  but 
that  the  Jews  must  first  prepare  themselves. 

"The  Jews  of  Russia,"  he  said,  "were  different  from  the 
Jews  in  other  parts  of  the  world  ;  they  were  orthodox,  and 
believed  in  the  Talmud,"  which  he  considered  false.  "  They  were 
ignorant  of  their  own  religion  ;  and  he  was  obliged  to  force  them 
to  study  Hebrew,  their  own  language."  Sir  Moses  defended  the 
principles  of  those  who  strictly  adhere  to  the  doctrines  of  their 
religion.  As  to  the  Talmud,  he  pointed  out  to  the  Minister  the 
great  esteem  in  which  that  work  is  held  by  pious  and  learned 
Christians. 

In  support  of  this  view,  I  reminded  His  Excellency  of  what 
Buxtorf  said  on  the  subject  in  his  "  Abbreviations,"  *  and  in  the 
preface  to  his  great  Chaldaic  and  Talmudicai  Lexicon  :— 

"The  Talmud,"  that  Christian  Divine  states,  "is  a  learned  work,  or  a 
large  corpus  of  erudition  ;  it  contains  manifold  learning  m  all  sciences  ;  it 
teaches  the  most  explicit  and  most  complete,  civil  and  canonical  law  of  the 
Jews,  so  that  the  whole  nation,  as  well  as  their  Synagogue,  might  live  thereby 
in  a  state  of  happiness,— in  the  most  desirable  way. 

"  It  is  the  most  luminous  commentary  of  the  Scriptural  law  as  well  as  it 
supplement  and  support.  ..  .  . 

"  It  contains  much  excellent  teaching  on  jurisprudence,  medicine,  natural 
philosophv,  ethics,  politics,  astronomy,  and  other  branches  of  science  j 
make  one' think  highly  of  the  history  of  that  nation  and  of  the  time  in  whicl 
the  work  was  written." 

*  De  abreviat.  hebr.  (auct.  Job.  Buxt.  I.),  p.  I. 


3^2       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

I  mentioned  to  His  Excellency  the  names  of  Buxtorf  the 
younger,  Dr  Johannus  Reuchlin,  Johannes  Meyer,  Selden,  Joh. 
Morinus,  Sebastian  Munster,  Surenhusius,  and  quoted  most  of 
their  statements  on  the  subject. 

With  reference  to  the  Russian  Jews'  knowledge  of  Hebrew 
and  of  their  own  religion,  I  called  His  Excellency's  attention  to 
the  numerous  works  they  had  produced  on  all  subjects  connected 
with  Hebrew  literature  and  poetry. 

The  Minister,  however,  resumed  his  arguments,  saying  they 
should  first  be  educated  before  full  facilities  to  gain  a  living 
should  be  given  them  ;  although  he  allowed  that,  to  a  certain 
degree,  persecution  had  made  them  what  they  are.  He  further 
said  that  the  Government  were  now  adopting  a  new  plan,  and 
were  treating  the  Jews  with  toleration,  liberality,  and  love,  but 
it  would  take  a  long  time,  he  remarked — perhaps  a  century — 
before  any  difference  would  be  perceptible.  He  did  not  con- 
sider the  present  generation,  and  only  thought  of  the  future. 
He  concluded  by  observing  the  Jews  were  loyal  subjects,  and 
immediately  complied  with  every  order  of  the  Government. 

Sir  Moses  pressed  repeatedly  upon  His  Excellency  the 
necessity  of  relieving  them  from  the  anxiety  and  suffering  to 
which  they  were  subjected  in  respect  to  the  Ukases  for  their 
removal  from  the  frontiers  and  villages;  upon  which  the  Minister 
observed,  "  They  were  not  executed,  and  were  very  different  in 
effect  to  what  they  appeared  on  paper,  and  that  the  Govern- 
ment were  engaged  on  their  consideration  ; "  and  he  several 
times  repeated  that  the  Government  were  desirous  of  raising 
the  Jews  and  removing  the  prejudices  which  still  exist  against 
them,  but  it  required  time,  and  the  Jews  must  assist  by  their 
improvement  and  attendance  at  the  schools.  Sir  Moses  assured 
him  that  the  fear  of  attempts  at  conversion  was  the  only  cause 
of  their  hesitation  to  conform  to  his  wishes.  The  interview 
then  terminated,  His  Excellency  having  throughout  been  most 
friendly  and  polite. 

On  our  return  home  Mr  and  Mrs  Bloomfield  paid  a  long 
visit  to  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore,  and  spoke  principally 
•on  the  subject  connected  with  our  visit  to  St  Petersburg. 

He  gave  Sir  Moses  a  letter  just  received  from  Count  Nessel- 
rode,  stating  that  the  Emperor  would  receive  him  on  the  follow- 
ing day  at  one  o'clock.  Sir  Moses  showed  him  the  address 


Interview  with  the  Emperor.  ,  >,  •> 

which  he  wished  to  deliver  to  His  Majesty.  His  Excellency 
thought  it  would  do  very  well.  Sir  Moses  then  said  he  was 
anxious  that  Count  Nesselrode  should  see  it.  Mr  Bloomfield 
thought  he  might  call  on  him  to-morrow  morning.  Sir  Moses 
however,  was  of  opinion  that  it  would  be  better  to  go  there  at 
once,  and  take  his  chance  of  seeing  him. 

Immediately  after  the  British  Ambassador  and  his  wife  had 
left  us  we  went  to  Count  Nesselrode,  who  received  us,  read  the 
paper  over,  and  suggested  some  alterations. 

In  the  evening  we  dined  with  the  British  Ambassador.  Mr 
Bloomfield  being  unwell,  could  not  join  the  company  at  table. 
There  were  present  Count  Nesselrode's  daughter  and  her  hus- 
band, the  Saxon  Ambassador,  the  Austrian  Ambassador,  Mr 
and  Mrs  Buchanan,  and  several  other  gentlemen. 

Wednesday,  April  StA.— Sir  Moses,  in  order  to  be  ready  to 
attend  His  Majesty,  had  just  put  on  his  uniform  when  he  received 
a  message  from  Count  Nesselrode,  saying  that  the  Emperor 
would  see  him  on  the  morrow  instead  of  on  that  day. 

April  gth. — The  entry  of  this  day  in  the  diary  records  the 
audience  with  His  Majesty  the  Emperor : — "  Praised  be  the  God 
of  our  fathers.  At  one  o'clock  this  day  I  had  the  honour  of  an 
interview  with  His  Imperial  Majesty  the  Emperor.  I  made  the 
strongest  appeal  in  my  power  for  the  general  alteration  of  all 
laws  and  edicts  that  pressed  heavily  on  the  Jews  under  His 
Majesty's  sway." 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  address  to  the  Emperor  : — 

"  May  it  please  your  Imperial  Majesty.     With  deep  veneration  for  your 
Majesty's  person  and  government,  and  with  fervent  prayers  to  the  Most 
High,  that  your  Majesty  may  continue  to  be  for  many,  many  years  the 
happy  and  exalted  ruler  of  a  powerful,  virtuous,  and  prosperous  people,  I 
crave  your  Majesty's  permission  to  offer  my  humble  thanks  for  the  honour 
conferred  upon  me  by  your  Majesty's  government,  by  the  intimation  that  my 
presence  in  your  Imperial  metropolis  might  become  beneficial  to  my  brethren 
of  the  Hebrew  nation  in  the  organisation  of  schools  for  the  education  of  their 
youths  ;    a  measure   which    emanated  from    your  Majesty's   watchful   and 
paternal  care  for  the  improvement  of  their  situation  and  the  promotion  of 
their  happiness.     May  I  be  permitted  to  embrace  this  favourable  moment 
to  express  my  earnest  prayer  that  your  Majesty  may  deign  to  give  your  most 
humane  consideration  to  the    condition   of  my  co-religionists  under  your 
Majesty's  sway,  and  that  your  Majesty  may  exert  that  power  which  God  has 
placed  in  your  august  hands,  to  alleviate,  to  the  utmost  extent,  which  your 
Majesty's  justice  and  wisdom  may  think  fit,  all  such  laws  and  edicts  as  may  be 
proved  to  press  heavily  upon  the  Israelites.    I  implore  your  Majesty,  therefore, 
to  bend  an  eye  of  merciful  consideration  upon  them,  and  thus,  by  the  revival 
of  their  hopes,  they  may  be  restored  to  their  proper  standing  among  their 


334      Diaries  oj  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

fellowmen,  and  have  the  opportunity  of  proving  themselves  most  loyal 
and  faithful  subjects,  as  well  as  useful  and  honourable  citizens,  true  to  the 
Eternal  God,  to  whom  their  prayers  daily  ascend,  that  your  Majesty's  throne 
may  endure  to  the  latest  generations,  and  that  your  Majesty  may  long  live 
to  secure  and  to  witness  the  happiness  and  the  prosperity  of  a  great  and 
mighty  nation." 

The  entry  in  the  diary  continues  : — 

"His  Imperial  Majesty  said  that  I  should  have  the  satisfaction  of  re- 
ceiving his  assurance,  as  well  as  that  of  his  Ministers,  that  they  were  most 
desirous  for  the  improvement  of  their  situation  in  every  way  possible.  His 
Majesty  spoke  for  about  twenty  minutes.  He  said  I  should  go  and  see 
them  ;  and  referring  to  the  army,  that  he  had  put  Jews  in  his  guards.  I 
expressed  a  hope  that  he  would  promote  them  if  found  as  deserving  as  his 
other  soldiers,  to  which  he  assented.  I  repeatedly  said  that  the  Jews  were 
faithful,  loyal  subjects,  industrious  and  honourable  citizens.  He  said,  '  S'ils 
vous  ressemblent '  ('  If  they  are  like  you').  His  Majesty  heartily  shook  hands 
with  me  as  I  entered  and  on  my  retiring.  It  is  a  happiness  to  me  to  hear  from 
«very  person,  from  the  very  highest  to  the  lowest  classes,  that  my  visit  to  this 
country  will  raise  the  Jews  in  the  estimation  of  the  people,  and  that  His 
Majesty's  reception  of  me  will  be  of  the  utmost  importance." 

April  \Qth. — Several  persons  left  their  cards,  among  which 
we  noticed  those  of  Count  Orloff,  Lieutenant-General  Doubett. 
Chief  of  the  Secret  Police,  the  Chevalier  Russi  di  Castilevala. 
In  the  course  of  the  day  we  went  to  the  office  of  the  Secret 
Police ;  they  were  very  civil.  We  were  given  to  understand 
that  it  was  customary  for  visitors  to  St  Petersburg  to  pay  a 
visit  to  that  office.  At  two  o'clock  we  called,  by  appointment, 
on  Count  Kisseleff,  the  Minister  in  whose  charge  Jewish  affairs 
are  placed.  He  received  Sir  Moses  most  politely,  and  we  were 
with  him  more  than  an  hour.  Sir  Moses  went  over  all  the 
particulars  referring  to  the  alleviation  of  the  unfortunate 
position  of  the  Jews.  The  Minister  (like  Count  Nesselrode 
and  Count  Ouvaroff)  said  they  were  great  fanatics,  and  he 
complained  of  the  Talmud  being  the  cause  of  their  degraded 
position.  Again  Sir  Moses  and  myself  defended  the  Talmud, 
giving  the  names  of  Christian  divines  who  have  spoken  in  high 
praise  of  that  ancient  work. 

Count  Kisseleff  wished  the  Jews  to  cultivate  the  land,  to 
establish  manufactories,  to  undertake  more  laborious  work  than 
that  to  which  they  had  hitherto  been  accustomed  ;  and,  respect- 
ing the  removal  from  the  frontiers,  he  said  they  might  go  fifty 
versts  on  either  side.  He  did  not  wish  to  keep  them,  five  or  six 
hundred  thousand  might  leave  altogether.  Sir  Moses  might,  if  he 
liked,  take  ten  thousand  or  more  to  Palestine  or  elsewhere.  He 


Attend  the  Soldiers'  Synagogue.  335 

shewed  him  a  Ukase  about  to  be  published,  which  gave  them 
some  privileges,  but  compelled  them,  within  a  certain  number 
of  years,  to  adopt  some  occupation  of  an  active  nature,  or  to  be 
punished  as  vagrants.  He  said  many  Jews  had  gone  to  settle  in 
Siberia,  but  the  Governor  had  taken  steps  to  prevent  more  of 
them  going  there.  The  Count  further  said  that  the  Jews  were 
fanatics,  praying  for  the  coming  of  the  Messiah  and  their  return, 
to  the  Holy  Land,  and  that  they  starved  themselves  all  the 
week  in  order  to  have  candles  and  fish  for  the  Sabbath.  Sir 
Moses  having  explained  to  His  Excellency  the  groundlessness 
of  these  charges,  the  Minister  then  said  he  should  always  be 
pleased  to  see  us,  that  his  doors  would  be  open  to  Sir  Moses 
every  day,  and  requested  he  would  call  again. 

April  nth. — At  about  twelve  o'clock  an  officer  came  from 
the  Minister  of  War  to  inform  Sir  Moses  that  the  Emperor, 
having  been  informed  of  his  \vish  to  assist  at  the  service  in  the 
soldier's  Synagogue  at  the  barracks,  had  desired  him  to  escort 
Sir  Moses,  and  to  say  that  the  service  was  held  at  seven  in  the 
evening,  and  from  eight  till  twelve  in  the  morning. 

At  6.30  we  walked  through  the  rain  to  the  barracks,  a  very 
long  distance  from  our  hotel.  The  Synagogue  was  a  large 
room,  well  fitted  up,  with  the  Ark,  containing  the  sacred  Scrolls 
of  the  Pentateuch,  and  the  pulpit  and  reading  desk.  The 
prayer  for  the  ruling  Sovereign  and  the  Royal  Family  was 
painted  on  a  tablet  affixed  to  the  wall,  as  in  other  places 
of  worship  among  Hebrew  communities.  The  prayers  were 
read  by  one  of  the  soldiers,  who  officiated  as  precentor  to  a 
congregation  of  three  hundred  of  his  companions.  They  all 
appeared  very  devout,  and  joined  loudly  in  the  prayers.  Sir 
Moses  was  so  much  fatigued  that  it  was  with  the  greatest 
difficulty  and  pain  that  he  walked  to  the  Synagogue  and  back 
through  mud  and  rain.  The  barracks  were  near  the  English 
quay,  at  least  two  miles  dista"<- 


CHAPTER     XL  I. 

1846. 

COUNT  KISSELEFF  IS  MORE  CONCILIATORY— SIR  MOSES  SETS- 
OUT  FOR  WILXA  —  ARRIVAL  AT  WILNA  —  THE  JEWS' 
ANSWERS  TO  THE  CHARGES  OF  RUSSIAN  OFFICIALS. 

A  PRIL  I5/7/. — We  went  to  see  Count  Kisseleff.  His 
•**  Excellency  told  Sir  Moses  that  the  Emperor  had 
inquired  what  he  thought  of  the  Synagogue.  The  Count 
assured  him  they  had  determined  to  adopt  a  new  plan 
with  the  Jews,  more  mild  and  conciliatory.  The  Emperor 
•wished  them  to  amalgamate  with  their  fellow  subjects,  and 
to  cultivate  the  land.  But  he  would  not  force  them  ;  they 
would  be  left  to  their  own  free  will,  and  less  under  the  control 
of  the  police  than  they  had  been,  and  all  who  wished  to  leave 
the  Empire  might  do  so.  The  Count  said  he  would  write  to 
Sir  Moses  to  that  effect,  and  would  give  him  the  list  of  towns 
to  be  visited,  but  the  roads,  he  observed,  were  dreadfully  bad. 
Sir  Moses  expressed  a  strong  desire  to  see  Wilna,  to  which 
the  Minister  acceded,  giving  him  introductions  to  the  different 
places,  and  writing  to  the  postmasters  for  horses. 

When  Sir  Moses  spoke  of  religion,  Count  Kisseleff  said  he 
did  not  care  what  was  between  man  and  his  God,  but  he  wished 
the  Jews  to  become  useful  citizens,  and  that  they  had  as  many- 
privileges  as  those  in  England.  He  spoke  much  of  their  poverty 
and  distress.  Sir  Moses  was  pleased  to  observe  that  his  man- 
ner of  speaking  of  the  Jews  was  more  friendly.  Count  Kisseleff 
said  that  Jewish  artisans  and  mechanics  might  come  and  work 
at  St  Petersburg,  but  that  they  might  not  bring  their  wives  and 
children.  He  promised  to  give  Sir  Moses  copies  of  the  Ukase 
relating  to  their  removal  from  the  villages,  and  he  showed  him 
the  Journal  des  Debats,  which  stated  that  Mr  Gilbert  had  put  a 
question  to  Sir  Robert  Peel  on  the  subject. 

"  I  am  satisfied,"  Sir  Moses  records  in  his  diary,  "  that  the 
Jews  will  be  better  off  in  consequence  of  our  visit  to  this  city, 
Praise  be  to  God  alone  ! " 


Visit  to  Count  Nesselrode.  337 

April  i////.— We  attended  service  in  the  soldiers'  Synagogue. 
Two  of  the  superior  officers  accompanied  Sir  Moses  to  the  gate 
of  the  barracks,  and  expressed  a  hope  that  he  was  satisfied  with 
the  arrangements.  The  soldiers  told  us  that  the  coming  of  Sir 
Moses  had  been  of  the  utmost  benefit  to  them,  and  that  their 
officers  treated  them  much  better  since  his  arrival. 

April  20f/i. — We  proceeded  to  Count  Ouvaroff,  and  re- 
mained with  him  one  hour.  He  offered  Sir  Moses  a  letter  ot 
introduction  to  the  Inspector  of  Public  Instruction  at  Wilna,  and 
promised  to  attend  to  any  suggestion  that  he  might  send  to  him 
after  his  tour. 

We  then  called  and  took  leave  of  Count  Kisseleff,  who 
assured  Sir  Moses  that  his  report  and  suggestions  should  have 
his  best  consideration,  that  he  would  put  his  letter  into  the 
hands  of  the  Emperor,  and  that  he  would  send  Sir  Moses  an 
answer.  He  could  not  have  been  more  friendly.  Count 
Ouvaroff  was  equally  amiable.  Orders  were  sent  to  all  the 
postmasters  along  the  route  to  have  horses  ready  for  us. 

At  one  o'clock  we  visited  Count  Nesselrode,  and  were 
equally  well  received.  His  Excellency  said  that  he  would  send 
Sir  Moses  a  letter  of  introduction  to  the  Governor  of  Wilna,  and 
promised  to  give  every  consideration  to  any  suggestion  he 
might  send  him  for  the  improvement  of  the  condition  of  his 
co-religionists. 

Sir  Moses  again  received  the  assurances  of  all  the  Ministers 
that  their  measures  for  the  better  education  of  the  Jews  was  in 
no  way  actuated  by  a  desire  for  their  conversion,  and  that  this 
might  be  depended  upon. 

Count  Kisseleff  told  him,  in  reply  to  his  inquiry,  that  the 
Jews  did  not  serve  as  long  in  the  army  as  others.  He  spoke 
much  in  favour  of  the  establishment  of  manufactories,  and  said 
that  the  Government  would  grant  them  privileges. 

Returning  to  the  hotel  Sir  Moses,  accompanied  by  Lady 
Montefiore,  went  to  take  leave  of  Mr  and  Mrs  Bloomfield,  from 
whom  they  had  received  the  kindest  attention  and  assistance. 
His  Excellency  said  that  if  Sir  Moses  wanted  anything  at  St 
Petersburg  he  should  recollect  he  was  there,  and  would  always 
be  happy  to  render  his  best  assistance.  He  gave  him  a  letter  of 
introduction  to  the  British  Consul  at  Warsaw. 

This  was  a  memorable  day  here.     The  Emperor  inspected 
I.  Y 


Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

the  Guards,  and  gave  each  soldier  one  and  a  half  silver  roubles. 
The  Isaac  Square  was  thronged  with  holiday  folks,  enjoying  the 
national  sports.  Count  Kisseleff  told  Sir  Moses  that  four  hun- 
dred recruits  had  just  arrived  from  a  place  near  Wilna  without 
a  single  man  having  fallen  sick  or  deserted.  The  Emperor  had 
seen  them,  was  pleased  with  them,  and  gave  them  money. 

Sir  Moses  spoke  with  several  of  the  Jews  who  had  served 
from  ten  to  fifteen  years.  They  said  that  after  twenty  years 
they  were  free,  if  they  served  in  the  Guards ;  but  if  they  were 
attendants,  or  served  in  the  hospitals,  or  as  mechanics,  then 
their  service  was  extended  to  twenty-five  years.  As  far  as  Sir 
Moses  could  judge,  they  did  not  appear  to  be  discontented  with 
their  situation,  and  observed  their  religion.  They  were  together 
in  barracks,  with  their  wives  and  children. 

Among  the  visitors  who  called  during  the  day  was  Sheikh 
Mouhhammad  Ayyad  Ettantawy,  Professor  of  the  Arabic 
Language  and  Literature  in  the  Asiatic  Institution  (who  had 
been  my  Arabic  master  during  my  stay  at  Cairo).  The  Sheikh 
•expressed  great  admiration  for  the  character  of  Sir  Moses  and 
Lady  Montefiore,  and  their  noble  exertions  to  ameliorate  the 
condition  of  their  brethren  ;  and  he  composed  two  poems  in 
commemoration  of  their  visit  to  St  Petersburg,  which  he  himself 
-copied  in  the  Arabic  language  in  their  diaries.  He  had  been 
sent  to  St  Petersburg  at  the  instance  of  Count  Medem,  the 
Russian  Consul-General  in  Alexandria.  Owing  to  his  great 
learning  the  Mooslim  professor  had  already  received  two  de- 
•corations — the  Orders  of  St  Anne  and  of  St  Stanislas — from 
the  Emperor  Nicholas,  and  had  become  a  great  favourite  with 
all  the  students  who  attended  his  lectures. 

The  Hebrew  soldiers  brought  the  books  from  the  charitable 
institutions  and  schools  which  they  had  established  among 
themselves. 

Various  authors  and  poets  sent  their  literary  compositions  in 
honour  to  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore's  arrival ;  hospitals, 
schools,  and  institutions  of  all  kinds  sent  their  representatives 
to  enlist  their  sympathies  for  a  good  cause,  and  the  latter 
endeavoured,  as  much  as  possible,  to  satisfy  all  deserving 
applicants. 

The  number  of  visitors  from  the  nobility,  since  Sir  Moses 
had  been  received  by  the  Emperor,  greatly  increased  ;  but  there 


Reiza. 


was  no  time  for  him  to  return  their  visits  or  accept  their  invita- 
tions, as  he  was  anxious  to  proceed  without  further  delay  to 
visit  the  places  pointed  out  to  him  by  the  Government.  A 
great  many  Israelites  from  different  parts  of  the  empire  came 
and  gave  us  their  blessings  ;  nearly  all  were  soldiers.  One  of 
them  had  two  distinguished  orders  for  his  bravery  in  Poland  ;  he 
had  been  in  the  army  eighteen  years. 

Count  Nesselrode  sent  a  letter  of  introduction  to  the 
Governor  of  Warsaw,  and  Count  Kisseleff  one  to  the  Postmaster 
of  Wilcomir,  that  we  might  find  no  difficulty  in  proceeding  from 
that  place  to  Wilna.  All  arrangements  for  our  departure  being 
now  completed,  Sir  Moses  gave  the  order  to  start 

For  tie  first  two  days  of  our  journey  the  weather  was  beauti- 
ful and  the  roads  excellent,  as  smooth  as  a  bowling  green  ; 
but  just  before  entering  Ostroff  we  encountered  terribly  rough 
weather  and  desperately  bad  roads,  full  of  ruts  and  holes.  We 
were  ferried  over  several  rivers  before  reaching  Roubelove, 
where  we  resolved  on  remaining  for  the  night. 

Regiza,  Friday,  April  24th.  —  "  We  find,"  as  the  entry  in  the 
•diary  says,  "  the  post  stations  get  worse  as  we  proceed,  both  in 
respect  to  cleanliness  and  comfort.  Last  night  there  was  no 
bread,  no  beer,  wine,  or  spirits,  and  very  bad  water,  and  beds  out 
of  the  question.  We  have  slept  on  sofas  since  we  left  St  Peters- 
burg, with  the  greater  part  of  our  clothes  on,  being  covered  with 
our  cloaks.  It  is  indeed  roughing  it.  We  have  travelled  41  8£ 
posts.  This  is  the  first  town  from  St  Petersburg  inhabited  by 
Israelites,  and  poor  indeed  they  appear.  My  dear  Judith  has  a 
very  bad  cough,  but  bears  the  fatigue  and  deprivation  of  all  com- 
fort most  admirably  ;  she  is  cheerful  and  content.  We  noticed 
the  land  ready  to  be  cultivated,  and  observed  many  ploughs  at 
Avork,  but  with  only  one  horse  to  each.  We  continue  to  pass 
through  large  forests  of  firs,  birch,  &c.  ;  the  ground  being  very 
sandy  and  marshy,  very  poor  for  cultivation." 

The  Sabbath  enabled  us  to  enjoy  the  repose  we  so  much 
required. 

Sunday,  April  26th.  —  We  proceeded  to  Duneberg,  thence  to 
Wilcomir,  where,  on  our  arrival,  a  deputation  from  Wilna  came 
to  bid  us  welcome. 

April  2gth.  —  We  continued  our  journey  to  Wilna.  This 
town  may  be  described  as  the  most  important  centre  of  Hebrew 


^40       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

literature  in  Russia,  and  numbers  among  its  inhabitants  very 
many  distinguished  Hebrew  authors  and  poets.  The  works 
written  by  them  on  all  subjects  connected  with  the  elucidation 
of  the  Sacred  Scriptures  may  be  counted  by  hundreds.  They 
also  excel  in  works  of  industry  of  every  description,  and  are 
the  principal  artisans  in  the  place.  In  their  commercial  trans- 
actions they  show  great  ability,  and  are  often,  for  their  sound 
judgment,  consulted  by  their  non  -  Israelite  neighbours  on 
subjects  which  require  special  consideration. 

The  Jewish  settlement  in  Wilna  dates  from  long  before  1326, 
According  to  a  statement  given  in  the  Otsherki  Wilenskoi 
Gubernii  (Wilna,  1852),  they  had  at  that  time  (in  the  year  1326} 
already  in  their  community  a  special  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
which  they  could  only  have  established  there  after  a  long 
residence  in  the  country. 

Cardinal  Commencloni,  the  Nuncio  of  the  Pope  at  the  Court 
of  King  Sigismund-Auguste  in  the  year  1561,  though  he  re- 
proached the  Poles  for  having  granted  too  many  privileges  to 
the  infidels,  nevertheless  expressed  himself  favourably  when 
speaking  of  the  Jews  in  Lithuania,  of  which  Wilna  is  the  capital. 

The  following  is  the  substance  of  his  remarks  on  the  subject, 
as  given  in  the  book  entitled  "  Rosprawa  O  Zydach,  Czackiego," 
p.  93  : — There  are  still  a  great  many  Jews  in  these  provinces, 
including  Lithuania,  who  are  not,  as  in  many  other  places, 
regarded  with  disrespect ;  they  do  not  maintain  themselves 
miserably  by  base  profits ;  they  are  landed  proprietors,  are 
engaged  in  commerce,  and  even  devote  themselves  to  the  study 
of  literature,  and  more  especially  to  medicine  and  astrology. 
They  hold  almost  everywhere  the  commission  of  levying  the 
customs  duties;  they  are  classed  among  the  most  honest  people; 
they  wear  no  outward  mark  to  distinguish  them  from  Christians, 
and  are  permitted  to  carry  a  sword  and  walk  about  with  .their 
arms ;  in  a  word,  they  enjoy  the  same  privileges  as  other 
citizens. 

The  Jews  of  Wilna  determined  to  give  a  most  hearty  welcome 
to  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

The  Spiritual  Head  of  the  community,  all  the  members  of  his 
Ecclesiastical  Court,  the  representatives  of  all  the  educational, 
industrial,  and  charitable  institutions,  and  all  the  officers  con- 
nected with  them,  came  to  meet  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore 


Arrival  at  Wilna. 


341 


at  a  place  called  Krisanke  (Krigeanki),  seventeen  versts  from 
Wilna.  A  deputation  from  among  them  proceeded  five  versts 
further.  On  meeting  us  they  presented  Sir  Moses  and  Lady 
Montefiore  with  a  poem  written  in  the  purest  Biblical  Hebrew, 
which  was  gratefully  acknowledged  by  Sir  Moses.  They  then 
left  in  great  haste  to  apprise  their  colleagues  of  our  approach. 

On  our  arrival  at  Krisanke  we  found  all  the  members  of  the 
Committee  of  Welcome  drawn  up  in  a  line.  As  the  carriage 
stopped,  the  Spiritual  Head  of  the  community,  accompanied  by 
the  representatives  of  the  various  institutions,  approached  Sir 
Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore,  and  delivered  an  address  to  them, 
which  Sir  Moses  answered  in  his  own  name  and  that  of  Lady 
Montefiore.  They  were  then  requested  to  alight  and  enter  a 
room,  most  tastefully  decorated  for  the  occasion,  and  where  an 
excellent  breakfast  awaited  them. 

We  left  Krisanke  and  directed  our  course  towards  Wilna. 
For  the  whole  distance  of  seventeen  versts  the  fields  to  the  right 
and  left  of  the  road  were  crowded  by  people,  who  shouted  in 
Hebrew,  "  Blessed  be  those  who  come  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord  ; "  and  when,  on  approaching  the  carriage  of  Sir  Moses, 
they  beheld  the  Hebrew  word  "Jerusalem"  on  the  banner 
r.ttached  to  the  supporters  of  his  coat  of  arms,  joy  filled  their 
hearts,  and  they  showered  innumerable  blessings  on  the  heads 
of  its  occupants. 

We  arrived  safely  at  the  house  of  Mr  Isaac  A.  L.  Setil, 
which  had  been  specially  prepared  for  our  reception,  and  there 
met  three  gentlemen  of  the  Hebrew  community  waiting  to 
receive  Sir  Moses'  orders. 

A  comfortable  night's  rest  made  both  Sir  Moses  and  Lady 
Montefiore  soon  forget  the  discomforts  which  they  had  to  endure 
on  the  road  from  St  Petersburg. 

I  now  give  Sir  Moses'  own  words,  as  entered  in  the  diary. 

"  Wilna,  April  yolh.—l  took  my  letter  of  introduction  to  the  Governor, 
and  he  received  me  instantly.  Dr  Loewe  accompanied  me.  The  Governor 
was  extremely  polite,  and  spoke  much  of  the  Jews.  He  attributed  their 
present  unhappy  state  to  great  poverty,  but  could  not  suggest  any  other 
remedy  than  colonisation  ;  the  want  of  capital  will  render  this  measure  \ery 
slow.  He  did  not  think  the  Jews  could  be  removed  from  the  villages  till  the 
autumn,  when  some  arrangement  would  be  adopted  for  their  employment. 
The  Jews  might  have  land  near  to  Christians,  and  he  thought  it  desirable 
that  they  should  be  more  together.  I  am  of  opinion  that  the  Jewish  popula- 
tion has  increased  more  rapidly  than  the  others,  and  consequently  their 
means  of  obtaining  a  livelihood  by  barter  is  more  difficult.  We  were  intro- 


342       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

duced  to  the  Governor's  wife,  a  very  handsome  and  agreeable  lady,  and 
extremely  well  informed.  She  expressed  the  kindest  sentiments  towards 
the  Jews.  I  called  with  Monsieur  Ouvaroff's  letter  on  His  Excellency 
Monsieur  E.  Gruber,  Councillor  of  State.  He  was  much  in  favour  of  the 
Jews.  At  five  I  received  those  persons  who  formed  the  deputation  and  came 
twenty  versts  to  see  me.  Dr  Loewe  addressed  them  in  German,  related  all 
that  had  passed  at  St  Petersburg,  and  read  them  the  papers  I  had  received. 
They  will  write  me  their  observations." 

The  reader  will  probably  remember  the  charges  which  the 
Ministers  brought  against  the  Jews  ;  also  the  special  reports  re- 
ferring to  the  unsuccessful  endeavours  to  raise  their  status,  with 
which  the  Russian  Government  provided  Sir  Moses,  to  enable 
him  to  ascertain  the  exact  state  of  the  Hebrew  communities. 
It  was  therefore  necessary,  however  painful  it  must  have  been  to 
him,  to  make  fully  known  to  the  deputation  all  the  wrong-doing': 
of  which  they  stood  accused  before  the  Government,  and  to  afibrd 
them  the  opportunity  of  clearing  their  character. 

I  addressed  them  in  the  name  of  Sir  Moses,  saying  that  "  this 
fatiguing  journey  over  land  and  sea  had  been  exclusively  under- 
taken by  him  for  their  sakes.  The  guiding  hand  of  the  Eternal 
God,  which  always  accompanied  him  on  his  travels,  had  not  for- 
saken him  on  the  present  occasion,  and  made  him  arrive  at  an 
opportune  time  at  St  Petersburg,  when  His  Majesty  the  Emperor 
had  just  returned  from  a  journey  to  Moscow.  He  was  fortunate 
enough  to  be  received  by  His  Imperial  Majesty  in  a  private  audi- 
ence, where  His  Majesty  deigned  to  receive  him  most  kindly, 
and  afterwards  sent  him  to  his  three  Imperial  Ministers,  Count 
Nesselrode,  Minister  of  State;  Count  Ouvaroft^  Minister  of 
Public  Instruction ;  and  Count  Kisseleff,  Minister  of  the  Crown 
Lands,  to  receive  from  them  their  reports.  His  Majesty  had 
promised  Sir  Moses  that  he  would  treat  the  Jews  paternally,  and 
with  forbearance.  But  to  Sir  Moses'  great  sorrow,  he  had  also 
heard  complaints  against  them.  He  therefore  entreated  the 
deputation  to  give  him  all  the  information  they  could  on  all  the 
subjects  to  which  he  had  drawn  their  attention." 

Having  listened,  with  tears  in  their  eyes,  to  the  accusations 
brought  against  them,  the  deputation  promised  to  provide  him 
with  a  statement  in  which  all  the  questions  brought  to  his  notice 
would  be  treated  seriatim,  and  containing  many  historically  in- 
teresting notices  on  the  civil  condition  of  the  Russian  Jews,  also 
many  letters  from  Jewish  families  that  had,  at  that  time,  been 
expelled  from  villages  and  taverns. 


Wilna.  343 

"  The  Civil  Governor  of  the  town,"  Sir  Moses  enters  in  his 
diary,  "  sent  the  chief  officer  of  police  to  say  he  should  be  happy 
to  accompany  me  at  any  time  T  might  fix,  to  the  several  public 
institutions.  We  cannot  move  a  step  without  being  surrounded 
by  hundreds  of  people,  all  giving  us  their  blessing." 

Wilna,  May  \st. — Sir  Moses  went  to  the  Civil  Governor,  and 
was  with  him  an  hour.  The  Governor  repeated  all  that  the  other 
Ministers  had  said,  and  told  him  that  the  Jews  were  not  obliged 
to  leave  the  villages,  but  only  to  discontinue  selling  brandy. 
This,  at  least,  was  something  gained. 

During  our  absence,  Monsieur  E.  Gruber  left  his  card.  The 
Military  Governor  paid  us  a  visit,  and  invited  Sir  Moses  and  Lady 
Montefiore  to  a  ball  on  Sunday,  the  I7th  inst.  Sir  Moses,  not 
expecting  to  be  present  at  a  ball  in  Wilna,  had  left  his  uniform 
at  Wilcomir,  and  intended  for  this  reason  to  decline  accepting 
the  invitation  ;  but  the  Governor  at  once  observed  that  a  special 
messenger  would  bring  his  uniform  from  Wilcomir  in  due  time, 
and  hoped  to  see  him  at  the  ball.  Many  members  of  tho 
aristocracy  called,  among  whom  was  Count  Wittgenstein. 


CHAPTER   XLII. 

1846. 

THE  JEWISH  SCHOOLS  AT  WILNA— WILCOMIR— DEPLORABLE 
CONDITION  OF  THE  HEBREW  COMMUNITY  IN  THAT  TOWN 
— KOWNO— WARSAW. 

ON  the  following  morning,  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore 
offered  up  prayers  amidst  thousands  of  their  brethren, 
and  many  visitors,  who  "  from  curiosity,"  as  they  said,  "  came  to 
see  the  English  philanthropist."  The  rest  of  the  day  was 
devoted  to  the  reception  of  the  members  of  the  community,  their 
wives  and  children,  so  as  to  have  the  opportunity  of  becoming 
acquainted  with  their  manners  and  mode  of  conversation. 

It  being  customary  in  that  place  to  send  wine  and  sweet- 
meats of  every  description  to  a  person  of  distinction  on  the  first 
Sabbath  of  his  arrival,  many  hundreds  of  bottles  of  the  best 
wine,  with  cakes  and  sweetmeats  from  the  most  skilful  con- 
fectioners, were  sent  to  us,  and  these  were  several  times  handed 
round  by  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  themselves.  The 
amiability  with  which  they  received  every  new  comer  induced 
the  visitors  to  speak  without  restraint  on  all  subjects. 

In  the  evening  a  scribe  of  great  ability  was  summoned  before 
Sir  Moses,  to  prepare  a  scroll  of  parchment,  upon  which  the 
latter  was  desirous  to  commence  writing  the  first  line  of  the 
Pentateuch  for  Synagogual  purposes.  The  scribe  soon  made  his 
appearance,  and  Sir  Moses,  in  the  presence  of  the  Chief  Rabbi 
and  the  principal  lecturer  of  the  community,  performed  the  task 
ssigned  to  him. 

Wilna,  May  yd. — Sir  Moses  paid  a  visit  to  the  Governor, 
where  he  met  most  of  the  nobility  of  the  place,  and  repre- 
sentatives of  various  communities,  who  came  to  pay  their 
respects  on  the  occasion  of  the  birthday  of  the  Czarewitch. 
Among  those  present  we  also  noticed  the  Ecclesiastical  Chief  of 
the  Hebrew  community. 

On  our  return  from  the  Governor,  we  proceeded  to  inspect 


The  Jewish  Schools  at  Wilna.  345 

the  various  colleges  and  schools,  where  we  examined  the  pupils, 
and  conversed  with  the  teachers  and  directors  regarding  the 
subjects  to  which  Sir  Moses'  attention  had  been  called  at  St 
Petersburg.  From  each  of  these  establishments  full  accounts 
were  given  to  us,  of  which  Sir  Moses  made  the  best  use  in  his 
report  to  the  Czar. 

In  the  evening,  by  special  invitation  from  the  Governor,  Sir 
Moses  visited  the  theatre,  and  subsequently,  he,  Lady  Montefiore, 
and  myself  attended  the  ball  at  His  Excellency's.  We  were 
received  by  all  present  with  every  possible  attention  and  courtesy, 
and  the  appearance  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  made  a 
most  favourable  impression. 

On  our  return  from  the  entertainment  we  found  some  beauti- 
ful embroidery,  poems,  drawings,  &c.,  sent  to  Lady  Montefiore 
by  the  pupils  of  some  of  the  girls'  schools  of  the  place.  We  had 
had  an  opportunity,  in  the  morning,  of  inspecting  the  schools.  In 
some  of  them  the  pupils  acquitted  themselves  satisfactorily  in  the 
French,  Russian,  German,  and  Hebrew  languages  ;  their  hand- 
writing was  beautiful,  and  in  arithmetic  they  were  far  advanced. 

Monday,  May  Ajh. — We  went  to-day  to  see  the  printing 
office  of  the  Brothers  Rom,  Rundsinsky,  Konigsberg,  and  Torkin. 
Sir  Moses  was  accompanied  by  His  Excellency  the  Civil  Gover- 
nor Terebzovv.  They  presented  us  with  a  number  of  valuable 
works,  each  of  which  was  adorned  with  a  poem  written  by  the 
gifted  poet  A.  B.  Lebensohn.  We  then  proceeded  to  the  Jewish 
Hospital,  the  Infant  School,  under  the  patronage  of  the  wife  of 
the  Military  Governor,  the  Orphan  Asylum  of  Mr  Chiya  Danzig, 
and  many  schools  and  colleges,  everywhere  exhorting  the  pupils 
to  study  the  Russian  language  and  literature,  and  everywhere 
leaving  charitable  gifts.  Sir  Moses  took  every  means  to  make 
himself  thoroughly  acquainted  with  all  the  matters  on  which  he 
had  been  asked  to  report  to  the  Emperor,  and  invited  ten  of  the 
most  prominent  men  of  the  community  to  attend  morning  and 
evening  prayers  at  his  hotel,  and  afterwards  to  report  and 
discuss  matters  generally. 

May  %th. — With  a  view  of  showing  his  respect  for  the  Chief 
Rabbi  and  the  representatives  of  the  community,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  of  forming  an  idea  of  the  domestic  arrangements 
for  the  comfort  of  their  families,  Sir  Moses  devoted  many  hours 
to  calling  on  those  persons  He  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing 
among  them  many  well-educated  wives,  sons,  and  daughters; 


346       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

their  dwellings  were  scrupulously  clean,  the  furniture  plain,  but 
suitable  for  the  purpose,  and  the  appearance  of  the  family 
healthy.  Some  of  them  were  very  good  looking. 

The  number  of  letters  from  Jews  and  Christians  hourly  in- 
creasad  ;  whole  nights  were  often  devoted  to  reading  them,  and 
making  extracts  from  those  which  required  special  and  im- 
mediate attention. 

May  6t/t. — We  were  indoors  all  this  day,  engaged  from  morn- 
ing till  evening  in  conversation  with  numerous  persons  on  the 
subject  of  our  journey. 

His  Excellency,  Monsieur  Gruber,  came  just  when  the  room 
was  filled  with  visitors,  including  the  Chief  Rabbi,  the  principal 
lecturer  of  the  Synagogue,  and  many  of  the  leading  members  of 
the  community.  Taking  advantage  of  the  opportunity,  these 
gentlemen  spoke  of  the  state  of  the  Jews  in  Russia,  and  stated 
to  him  that  the  Government  would  not  permit  them  to  have 
land,  nor  would  they  employ  them  as  labourers  ;  adding  that 
they  could  bring  to  His  Excellency,  within  a  few  minutes,  if  he 
desired  it,  five  thousand  men,  women,  and  children  who  would 
be  ready  to  do  any  work,  however  laborious,  merely  for  a  piece 
of  bread  a  day.  They  had  frequently  petitioned  the  Government, 
they  said,  for  liberty  to  take  land,  but  had  never  received  the 
required  permission. 

The  conversation  was  carried  on  with  great  spirit.  Subse- 
quently a  large  deputation  was  introduced,  who  requested  Sir 
Moses  to  remain  till  after  Sabbath.  The  Burgomaster  of  Wilna 
being  present,  joined  in  the  request,  and  Sir  Moses  at  last  con- 
sented, especially  as  the  deputation  observed  that  they  could 
not  sooner  get  their  papers  ready  for  him. 

Friday,  May  8t/t. — The  representatives  of  the  Hebrew  con- 
gregation of  this  town,  together  with  those  of  other  Hebrew 
congregations  from  some  of  the  principal  towns  in  Russia,  under 
the  presidency  of  the  Chief  Rabbi,  held  a  meeting  for  the  pur- 
pose of  examining  the  papers  which  had  been  prepared  for 
presentation  to  Sir  Moses,  in  reply  to  the  charges  brought 
against  them  at  St  Petersburg.  It  was  arranged  to  request  Sir 
Moses  to  appoint  the  following  day,  in  the  evening,  after  the 
termination  of  the  Sabbath,  for  their  reception,  and  to  invite  the 
writer  of  these  lines  to  address  the  congregation  on  the  following 
morning  in  the  principal  Synagogue  of  the  town,  so  as  to  afford 
to  thousands  of  their  brethren  and  visitors  the  opportunity  of 


The  Jews  plead  their  Cause.  347 

becoming  acquainted  with  any  suggestion  -which  it  might  be 
deemed  desirable  to  communicate  to  them  relative  to  the 
Mission  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

With  this  view  a  deputation  waited  on  Sir  Moses,  and  he 
agreed  to  receive  them  at  the  appointed  time.  The  same 
deputation  also  brought  me  the  invitation  to  deliver  an  address 
in  their  Synagogue,  which  I  willingly  accepted. 

Saturday,  May  gt/t. — Divine  service  was  held  in  the  apart- 
ments of  Sir  Moses  early  in  the  morning.  In  the  afternoon,  at 
about  two  o'clock,  he  and  Lady  Montefiore  proceeded  to  the 
Synagogue,  where  I  delivered  the  address  in  the  presence  of  a 
very  large  assembly  of  members  of  various  communities  and 
visitors.  In  the  evening  all  the  representatives  of  Wilna,  and 
those  of  the  principal  towns  in  Russia,  together  with  the  gentle- 
men who  wrote  the  reports  in  the  Hebrew,  French,  and  Russian 
languages,  and  others  of  high  standing  in  the  community, 
headed  by  their  Ecclesiastical  Chief,  presented  the  papers  which 
Sir  Moses  was  so  anxiously  expecting. 

It  is  often  a  grave  and  exciting  moment  for  those  present 
in  a  court  of  justice,  when  the  accused,  however  humble  his 
station  in  life  may  be,  pleads  his  cause  and  vindicates  his 
innocence  against  a  vigorous  prosecutor ;  graver,  however,  and 
considerably  more  exciting  was  the  scene  which  I  now  wit- 
nessed, when  not  merely  a  private  individual,  but  the  repre- 
sentatives of  three  millions  of  loyal  subjects  of  the  Emperor  of 
Russia,  pleaded  their  cause  and  vindicated  their  innocence 
against  the  most  serious  charges  brought  against  them  and  their 
religious  tenets  by  the  Ministers  of  the  Empire.  I  repeatedly 
noticed  tears  rolling  down  the  cheeks  of  the  venerable  elders  of 
the  community.  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  themselves 
could  hardly  suppress  their  emotion. 

Every  word  contained  in  the  written  statements  had  been 
translated  by  me  into  English,  and  the  whole  was  read  aloud  to- 
the  assembly.  Sir  Moses  addressed  questions  to  the  representa- 
tives of  the  various  communities,  and  elicited  numerous  replies ; 
but  the  more  voluminous  ones  had  to  be  taken  away  with  us,  to 
be  read  next  day  by  Sir  Moses  on  the  road. 

Thus  many  hours  of  the  night  passed  ;  it  was  two  o'clock  in 
the  morning  when  the  conference  terminated.  Refreshments 
were  handed  round.  Sir  Moses  drank  to  "better  times,  and  to 
the  health  and  prosperity  of  his  brethren  in  Russia."  The 


348       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

Chief  Rabbi,  the  representatives  of  the  community,  and  all 
present  shed  tears  at  the  contemplation  of  our  departure. 

Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  left  many  souvenirs  to 
those  who  had  so  kindly  attended  them  during  their  stay  in 
Wilna,  and  sent  hundreds  of  bottles  of  the  best  wine,  and  many 
kinds  of  meat,  and  cakes  of  every  description  to  the  .hospitals. 
All  the  charitable  institutions  and  all  deserving  cases  were 
remembered  by  most  generous  gifts,  and  nothing  more  was  left 
for  him  to  do. 

The  favourable  impression  which  the  people  of  Wilna  made 
on  Sir  Moses  prompted  him  to  say  to  these  present,  as  he 
stepped  into  his  carriage :  "  I  leave  you,  but  my  heart  will  ever 
remain  with  you.  When  my  brethren  suffer,  I  feel  it  painfully ; 
when  they  have  reason  to  weep,  my  eyes  shed  tears." 

At  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  no  one  in  the  town 
expected  our  departure,  we  left  Wilna  for  Wilcomir.  The 
recent  rains  had  made  the  roads  very  bad ;  heavy  sand  and 
numerous  ruts  prevented  our  proceeding  at  the  average  rate  of 
travelling.  In  one  spot  our  conveyance  stuck  fast  in  a  deep 
hole,  and  we  were  detained  for  fully  half-an-hour.  This  un- 
pleasant circumstance  was  much  aggravated  by  the  hundreds  of 
poor  Russian  men,  women,  and  children  following  the  carriage 
for  miles  on  the  road.  The  more  they  had  given  to  them,  the 
more  they  appeared  to  want. 

After  a  ride  of  seventy-six  and  a  half  versts  we  reached 
Wilcomir,  where  a  deputation  from  the  Hebrew  community 
brought  us  wine  and  cake.  The  account  which  they  gave  of 
their  brethren  was  but  sorrowful.  Of  five  hundred  families, 
they  said,  one-fourth  died  last  year  from  destitution. 

We  visited  the  school  and  charitable  institutions,  and  next 
day  continued  our  journey  to  Kowno. 

Hundreds  of  persons,  with  lighted  candles  in  their  hands, 
greeted  us  on  our  arrival  at  Kowno.  We  found  an  elegant 
house  prepared  for  us,  all  the  rooms  and  passages  brilliantly 
lighted  with  wax  candles.  The  host  and  hostess,  Mr  and 
Mrs  Kadisohn,  attended  on  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore 
themselves.  "We  have  not  had,"  Lady  Montefiore  said,  "such 
beds  or  accommodation  since  leaving  England." 

Sir  Moses  had  an  important  interview  with  the  Governor  of 
the  town  respecting  the  employment  of  Jews  to  repair  the  high 
roads,  they  being  willing  to  work  for  twenty  kopeks  a  day, 


Warsaw.  349 

while  labourers  of  other  denominations  receive  thirty.  We  here 
received  information  regarding  the  Jews,  in  general,  living  in 
that  district ;  and  the  representatives  of  the  community,  headed 
by  their  Chief  Rabbi,  supplemented  this  by  numerous  statements 
made  to  Sir  Moses  in  writing. 

May  \2th. — We  left  Kowno  early  in  the  morning,  were 
ferried  over  the  river,  and  detained  two  hours  on  the  frontier  of 
the  former  kingdom  of  Poland.  Proceeded  through  Calvarie, 
•  Souvalky,  Stavesey.  In  each  of  these  places  we  had  interviews 
with  the  authorities,  and  elders  of  the  Hebrew  community,  and 
visited  their  schools  and  charitable  institutions. 

May  i^tli. — Our  arrival  at  Warsaw  was  announced  to 
thousands  of  the  Hebrew  community  who  were  anxious  to  see 
Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

Mr  Blumberg,  one  of  the  leading  merchants,  came  to  request 
Sir  Moses'  acceptance  of  his  house  during  our  stay  at  Warsaw; 
but  Sir  Moses,  while 'thanking  him  for  his  hospitality,  thought  it 
desirable  to  live  at  an  hotel,  in  preference  to  a  private  house. 

The  first  visit  paid  by  Sir  Moses  was  to  Colonel  du  Plat,  the 
British  Consul  for  Poland  ;  he  was  absent  from  home,  but  sent, 
in  the  course  of  the  day,  a  message  to  Sir  Moses  that  he  would 
be  pleased  to  see  him  on  the  following  day. 

The  Chief  Rabbi  and  the  representatives  of  the  Hebrew- 
community  came  to  congratulate  us  on  our  safe  arrival.  They 
said  it  had  been  their  wish  to  have  made  a  more  public  display 
of  their  gratitude  to  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore,  but  they 
were  prevented  from  doing  so.  They  had  asked  the  Governor 
if  they  might  go  out  of  the  city  to  meet  us,  and  received  the 
reply  that  he  could  say  neither  "  Yes  "  nor  "  No."  The  accounts 
which  Sir  Moses  continued  to  receive  from  the  Jews,  of  their 
position  in  tliis  country,  were  most  distressing. 

Warsaw,  May  \"jtk. — "This  morning,"  Sir  Moses  writes  in 
his  diary,  "  I  called  on  Colonel  du  Plat  with  Dr  Loewe.  He 
proposed  to  accompany  me  immediately  to  the  Minister  of 
Foreign  Affairs,  the  Minister  of  the  Interior,  and  the  Military 
Governor  of  the  city.  We  accordingly  visited  each  of  them, 
and  I  was  received  with  much  politeness.  The  two  former 
Ministers  conversed  with  me  for  a  considerable  time  about  the 
condition  of  the  Jews.  The  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs  is  to 
ask  His  Highness  the  Viceroy  for  an  audience  for  me.  I  have 
heard  repeated  the  same  complaints,  that  the  Jews  will  not 


350       Diaries  oj  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

cultivate  the  land,  and  from  the  Jews  themselves  that  they  can- 
not get  permission  to  purchase  land.  This  afternoon  I  received 
a  letter  from  the  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs,  that  His  Highness 
•will  be  happy  to  see  me  to-morrow  at  twelve.  I  received  a 
deputation,  consisting  of  the  principal  Jews  of  this  city,  headed 
by  the  Chief  Rabbi.  They  give  a  deplorable  account  of  the 
present  position  of  the  Jews  in  this  kingdom. 

"May  !$///. — Colonel  du  Plat  came  and  accompanied  me 
and  Dr  Loewe  to  the  Palace.  We  were  received  by  Prince 
Paskievvitch  (who  is  the  Viceroy  of  the  kingdom)  with  much 
politeness.  I  was  in  full  uniform.  We  were  one  hour  and  a 
half  in  conversation  respecting  the  Jews.  He  expressed  the 
same  sentiments  as  those  we  heard  in  St  Petersburg ;  also  said 
that  the  Jews  would  not  cultivate  the  land,  though  the  law 
allowed  them  to  purchase  it.  I  said  that  hundreds  of  Jews  had 
-expressed  to  me  their  ardent  desire  to  obtain  land,  and  that  I 
feared  there  existed  some  difficulty  in  the  requisite  formalities. 
The  Prince  does  not  wish  for  further  education,  and  is  by  no 
means  disposed  to  give  any  privilege  to  them.  His  Highness 
invited  me  and  the  Consul  to  dine  with  him  at  six.  It  was  a 
very  pleasant  and  chatty  party.  I  sat  on  the  right  of  the 
Prince,  but  took  nothing  except  asparagus,  salad,  ices,  and 
•dessert.  The  Princess  was  most  agreeable,  and  conversed  freely 
-with  me ;  indeed,  all  were  most  friendly.* 

"  The  Countess  Rzewuska,  nfe  Princess  Lubomirska  ;  M.  de 
Hilferilling,  Conseiller  d'Etat-actuel,  Head  of  the  Chancellerie 
Diplomatique  of  the  Prince;  the  Minister  of  the  Interior,  General 
L.  Se  ater  Storozenko;  the  Postmaster-General,  Prince  Galitzin; 
the  Head  of  the  Police,  General  Abramowicz;  and  the  Governor- 
General  of  Warsaw,  General  Okouneff,  were  also  present  on  that 
occasion. 

"  Warsaw,  May  \6th. — A  deputation,  consisting  of  at  least 
twenty  gentlemen  from  all  the  charitable  institutions  belonging 
to  the  Jews,  presented  my  dear  wife  and  myself  with  a  beautiful 
address  and  a  very  elegant  silver  cup,  as  a  mark  of  their  grati- 
tude for  our  exertions  on  their  behalf.  The  house  has  been 
surrounded  from  morning  till  night  by  hundreds  of  our  co- 
religionists, anxious  to  get  a  glimpse  of  us.  Two  gendarmes 
and  a  police  officer  have  had  great  difficulty  in  keeping  the 
people  out  of  the  house.  We  had  the  honour  of  a  long  visit 
to-day  from  the  Military  Governor." 


CHAPTER    XLIII. 

1846. 

DEPUTATION  FROM  KRAKAU — THE  POLISH  JEWS  AND  THEIR 
GARB — SIR  MOSES  LEAVES  WARSAW— POSEN,  BERLIN,  AND 
FRANKFORT— HOME. 

UN  DA  Y,  May  1 7th.— My  dear  wife,  Dr  Loewe,  and  myself 
paid  a  visit  to  the  Princess  Paskiewitch,  the  wife  of  the 
Viceroy.  She  was  very  kind  in  her  manner,  and  spoke  for  a 
considerable  time  with  us.  We  afterwards  accompanied  Mr 
Epstein  to  the  Jewish  Hospital,  where  we  found  the  directors 
and  most  of  the  governors  and  their  ladies  waiting  to  receive  us." 

In  order  to  show  how  desirous  the  Jews  here  are,  under  the 
most  unfavourable  circumstances,  to  promote  the  welfare  of 
their  poorer  brethren,  Sir  Moses  gives  a  long  description  of  the 
hospital,  containing  355  beds,  baths,  kitchens,  a  dispensary, 
laundry,  and  Synagogue  ;  and  of  Mr  Matthias  Rosen's  Aged 
Needy  Asylum,  and  speaks  in  terms  of  the  highest  praise  of  all 
the  arrangements.  He  also  alludes  to  the  important  fact  that 
the  poor  children  are  taught  and  apprenticed  to  various  trades. 

After  inspecting  the  whole  establishment,  we  were  conducted 
to  the  Committee  room.  Sir  Moses  was  here  presented  with  a 
beautiful  little  statue  of  Moses,  a  copy  in  bronze  of  the  statue 
by  Michael  Angelo,  the  President  delivering  a  most  suitable 
address.  It  is  now  in  the  Lecture  Hall  of  Judith,  Lady  Monte- 
fiore's  Theological  College  in  Ramsgate,  and  is  an  object  of 
great  interest  to  visitors. 

They  were  there  met  by  the  governor  and  directors,  with 
their  ladies.  The  way  was  covered  with  green  baize,  and  about 
a  dozen  children  walked  before  them  strewing  flowers. 

"  On  our  return  home,"  Sir  Moses  continues  in  his  diary,  "  I 
found  Colonel  du  Plat  waiting  to  accompany  me  to  Monsieur 
Hilferilling,  Head  of  the  Chancellerie  Diplomatique  of  the 
Prince.  I  thanked  him  for  the  paper  he  sent  me  yesterday,  and 


352       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

also  for  the  Ukase  published  last  evening,  allowing  the  Jews  to 
retain  their  present  costume  for  three  months,  till  after  the  1st 
of  July.  This  will  be  a  great  relief  to  the  poor,  though  I  am 
happy  to  find  that  there  will  be  no  difficulty  made  by  the  Jews 
in  complying  with  the  wishes  of  the  Government" 

The  dress  worn  by  the  Jews  in  Poland  is  that  which  was 
formerly  worn  in  that  country  by  Christians  as  well  as  by  Jews. 
In  the  course  of  time  the  Jews  became  so  used  to  it  that  the 
change  for  the  European  dress  appeared  to  them  almost  a  trans- 
gression of  some  religious  injunction. 

The  appearance  of  Sir  Moses,  dressed  in  European  costume, 
while  rigidly  observing  the  injunctions  of  his  religion,  contributed 
greatly  to  their  conviction  that  a  change  of  dress  need  not 
involve  any  serious  consequences. 

Turning  again  to  the  entry  of  the  diary,  Sir  Moses  says : 
"I  then  informed  His  Excellency  that  I  should  be  very  happy 
if  it  were  possible  to  have  an  audience  of  the  Emperor,  as  His 
Majesty  is  every  moment  expected  to  arrive  ;  that  I  did  not  ask 
for  it,  but  I  should  be  glad  if  it  could  be  made  known  to  His 
Majesty  that  I  was  in  the  city.  His  Excellency  said  he  would 
speak  with  Count  Orloff  to-morrow  morning." 

May  iSf/t. — This  morning  Sir  Moses  received  a  note  from 
Colonel  du  Plat,  stating  that  His  Majesty  was  going  to  the  Greek 
Cathedral,  and  recommending  him  to  put  on  his  uniform,  and  to 
be  there,  as  it  would  most  likely  obtain  for  him  an  earlier  in- 
timation of  His  Majesty's  wishes  ;  but  Sir  Moses  thought  it 
advisable  not  to  avail  himself  of  the  opportunity  in  a  place  of 
public  worship. 

The  stream  of  visitors  continued  all  day  long,  some  even  re- 
maining in  the  house  as  a  "  guard  of  honour."  Our  rooms  were 
comfortable,  and  the  attentions  of  our  friends  unceasing,  and  yet 
there  was  a  great  drawback,  inasmuch  as  we  could  not  even 
converse  with  friends  without  the  subject  being  immediately 
made  known  to  others. 

I  remember  an  instance  of  this.  On  one  occasion  Sir  Moses 
received  a  letter  in  the  evening  relative  to  an  appointment  with 
a  gentleman  at  six  o'clock  the  next  morning.  I  entered  his 
room  to  confer  with  him  on  the  subject,  and  before  the  appointed 
hour,  a  letter  arrived  from  that  gentleman,  repeating  almost 
word  for  word  what  Sir  Moses  had  said  to  me,  concerning  him 


Deputation  from  Krakau.  353 

and  the  appointment.  We  could  not  explain  to  ourselves  how  it 
was  possible  for  him  thus  to  have  received  information  of  what 
we  thought  no  one  had  heard.  But  on  looking  round  in  the 
room,  we  noticed,  not  far  from  the  sofa,  a  large  portrait,  the  eyes 
of  which  had  round  holes  instead  of  pupils.  We  at  once  went 
into  the  corridor,  and,  to  our  great  surprise,  we  found  we  could 
hear  every  word  spoken  within  by  Lady  Montenore  and  others. 

May  igth. — Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  received  a 
deputation  from  Praga,  who  presented  them  with  a  very  small, 
beautifully  written  scroll  of  the  Pentateuch,  with  a  costly  silver 
crown  thereon,  ornamented  with  precious  stones  ;  also  with  a 
silver  pointer  for  the  use  of  the  reader,  all  being  deposited  in  a 
beautiful  little  Ark. 

The  deputation  invited  them  to  visit  their  elementary  schools 
and  Rabbinical  colleges. 

At  the  appointed  hour  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  pro- 
ceeded to  the  house  of  Mr  Blumberg,  where  they  met  a  very 
considerable  number  of  students. 

In  compliance  with  a  request  from  the  college  and  school 
committees,  and  from  Sir  Moses,  I  examined  the  Rabbinical 
students  for  nearly  three  hours.  The  result  being  most  satis- 
factory, Sir  Moses  consented  to  become  the  patron  of  the 
college. 

On  our  return  from  Praga,  a  deputation  from  the  Hebrew 
congregation  of  Krakau  was  introduced.  They  had  important 
communications  to  make,  relating  to  questions  in  connection  with 
the  state  of  education  among  Jews  in  Poland  ;  and  several  hours 
passed  in  conversation  with  them. 

May  2Oth. — Sir  Moses  being  apprehensive  that  his  continued! 
stay  in  this  city  might  not  be  agreeable  to  the  Government,  as- 
there  were  always  hundreds  of  people  near  his  hotel,  and  many 
more  following  him  about  in  the  streets,  he  called  on  the  British 
Consul,  Colonel  du  Plat,  and  informed  him  of  his  feelings  on  the 
subject  ;  adding  that  he  thought  he  had  better  leave  on  the 
morrow.  The  Consul  said  he  would  first  see  the  Minister,  and 
acquaint  him  with  Sir  Moses'  sentiments,  and  he  would  let  him 
.know  the  Minister's  reply. 

The  United  Committee  of  the  Elementary  Schools  and  the 
New  Synagogue  presented  to  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore 
a  beautifully  written  scroll  of  the  Pentateuch,  somewhat  larger 
I.  Z 


354       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

than  that  they  had  previously  received,  with  a  silver  crown, 
accompanied  by  an  Ark  for  its  reception.  Like  other  souvenirs, 
it  is  now  preserved  in  the  Lecture  Hall  of  the  College  in 
Ramsgate. 

Colonel  du  Plat  paid  us  a  long  visit,  and  discussed  the  object 
of  Sir  Moses'  Mission  to  Russia,  and  subsequently  we  went  to 
the  garden  of  the  "  Little  Palace,"  in  which  the  Emperor 
icsided.  We  saw  His  Majesty  there,  in  an  open  carriage,  and 
met  the  Viceroy,  all  the  Cabinet  Ministers,  their  ladies,  and  the 
elite  of  the  city. 

The  Princess  Paskiewitch  and  the  Ministers  spoke  to  Sir 
Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore,  and  appeared  most  friendly  in 
ilieir  conversation. 

]\Iay  22nd. — "  I  received  to-day,"  the  entry  in  the  diary  re- 
cords, "  two  or  three  deputations  from  congregations,  distant 
from  thirty  to  three  hundred  miles,  with  addresses,  and  called  at 
one  o'clock  on  Colonel  du  Plat.  He  had  just  returned  from  a 
review,  where  Count  Orloff  told  him  '  he  had  received  my  card  ; 
that  he  was  much  pleased  with  the  whole  of  my  conduct ;  it  had 
given  general  satisfaction ;  that  I  was  a  man  comme  ilfaitt,  and 
that  my  visit  would  be  very  useful.' 

"  Dr  Loewe  and  I  rode  to  the  Prince  Marshal  to  take  leave, 
unless  His  Highness  had  any  commands  for  me.  Dr  Loewe  got 
out  of  the  carriage  to  enquire  if  he  was  at  home,  and,  at  the 
instant,  His  Highness  was  leaving  the  house  to  attend  the 
Council.  He  regretted  he  could  not  stop  to  speak  with  me,  but 
requested  I  would  come  to  him  to-morrow  at  six.  As  I  could 
not  walk  as  far  as  the  Palace  (the  sanctity  of  the  Sabbath  not 
permitting  me  to  ride  in  a  carriage),  I  requested  Dr  Loewe  to 
call  on  the  Minister  of  Diplomacy,  and  to  beg  of  him  to  arrange 
with  the  Prince  for  paying  my  respects  on  Sunday  instead  of 
to  morrow,  which  he  promised  to  do,  and  to  acquaint  me  with 
the  result." 

The  same  day  a  deputation  of  that  pre-eminently  conserva- 
tive class  of  the  Hebrew  community,  known  by  the  appellation 
of  "  Khasseedim,"  paid  us  a  visit.  They  wore  hats,  according  to 
European  fashion,  instead  of  the  Polish  "  czapka,"  or  the 
"  mycka,"  which  is  similar  to  that  of  the  Circassian's.  They 
were  headed  by  Mr  Posener,  a  gentleman  who  had  done  much 
for  the  promotion  of  industry  in  Poland,  and  his  son ;  and  he 


Polish  Jews  and  their  Garb.  355 

informed  Sir  Moses  that  he  would,  though  an  old  man,  comply 
with  the  desire  of  the  Government,  and  change  the  Polish  for  the 
German  costume.  Being  a  man  held  in  high  esteem  by  the 
Jews,  and  well  spoken  of  by  the  Prince,  his  example  would  have 
a  most  favourable  effect  upon  others. 

Warsaw,  Saturday  Evening,  May  2$rd. — Divine  service  was 
held  in  our  apartments  in  the  morning,  afternoon,  and  evening. 
We  had  intended  going  to  the  New  Synagogue,  but  were  de- 
terred from  doing  so  by  the  great  difficulties  which  we  had 
•encountered  last  evening  in  going  to  and  returning  from  the 
Great  Synagogue.  Thousands  of  persons  had  followed  us  nearly 
the  whole  way,  and  the  gallery  of  the  Synagogue  was  so  dread- 
fully crowded  with  ladies,  that  serious  apprehensions  were  enter- 
tained lest  it  might  fall,  when  hundreds  must  have  been  killed. 
A  strong  body  of  police  had  secured  our  retreat. 

At  least  five  hundred  ladies,  the  wives  and  daughters  of  our 
co-religionists,  called  on  Lady  Montefiore. 

A  girl  twelve  .years  old  sang  several  Hebrew  melodies ;  she 
had  a  fine  voice.  In  the  evening  we  had  with  us,  for  the  second 
time,  a  little  boy,  eight  years  old,  who  played  exquisitely  on  the 
violin.  He  also  recited  the  portion  of  the  Pentateuch  selected 
for  the  Sabbath  reading  in  the  Synagogue,  with  several  of  the 
commentaries  on  the  same,  by  heart;  a  very  handsome  child. 
By  his  extraordinary  talent  he  supports  his  parents  and  family 
—in  all  ten  persons.  Sir  Moses  made  him  a  present  of  a  sum 
of  money  to  enable  him  to  pay  for  a  master. 

We  again  noticed  that  the  walls  of  our  room  were  admir- 
ably arranged,  so  that  every  word  we  speak  could  be  distinctly 
overheard  outside  in  a  dark  passage. 

Warsaiv,  Simday,  May  24^.— Colonel  du  Plat  called,  having 
been  requested  by  Sir  Moses  to  accompany  him  to  the  Palace. 
Going  there,  we  met  the  Prince  as  he  was  descending  from  his 
carriage  ;  he  was  most  polite,  and  begged  us  to  come  into  the 
Palace.  He  was  very  sorry  he  could  not  see  Sir  Moses  on  Friday. 
Sir  Moses  told  His  Highness  that  he  had  come  to  take  leave  of 
him  and  to  inquire  if  he  had  any  commands  for  him. 
Prince  said  he  was  very  sorry  that  he  had  been  prevented  from 
showing  him  more  attention,  but  since  the  arrival  of 
Emperor  his  presence  was  required  every  quarter  of  an  hour. 
Sir  Moses  spoke  of  the  great  desire  of  the  Jews  to  be  allowed  to 


356       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

purchase  land,  and  to  cultivate  it  themselves  ;  he  also  told  the 
Prince  that  Mr  Posener  had  promised  to  change  his  dress,  which 
pleased  him  greatly,  and  his  example  would,-  he  said,  have  great 
effect,  and  he  had  no  doubt  that  Sir  Moses'  visit  would  produce 
much  good. 

They  then  had  some  conversation  respecting  the  repeal  of  the 
Corn  Laws  in  England,  the  Bill  having  passed  by  a  majority  of 
ninety-three.  They  also  spoke  of  the  death  of  an  English  Admiral, 
and  our  victories  in  India.  Their  parting  was  most  friendly. 

Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  then  left  cards  on  the 
Princess,  all  the  Ministers,  the  Spiritual  Head  of  the  Hebrew 
community,  and  the  representatives  of  the  several  institutions 
they  had  visited  ;  and  orders  were  given  for  their  departure  at 
three  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

In  the  course  of  the  day,  Colonel  du  Plat  called  to  bid  us 
farewell.  A  great  number  of  persons  came  in  the  evening  for 
a  similar  purpose,  and  remained  till  one  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

Sir  Moses  then  entrusted  some  of  the  gentlemen  with  his 
generous  donations  for  the  poor  of  all  denominations,  also  for 
schools,  hospitals,  and  charitable  institutions  ;  and,  with  the  most 
favourable  impressions  of  the  good  intentions  of  his  brethren  in 
Poland,  we  left  Warsaw  at  the  appointed  hour. 

On  the  same  day,  May  25th,  we  arrived  at  Posen.  Wher- 
ever we  had  stopped  on  the  road,  even  at  the  post-houses,  where 
we  could  only  remain  for  a  few  minutes  to  change  horses, 
deputations  with  addresses  awaited  our  arrival. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  Tuesday,  a  deputation  from  the  Old 
Synagogue  came  to  conduct  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  to 
divine  service.  The  venerable  edifice,  which  is  very  ancient, 
large,  and  of  handsome  proportions,  was  lighted  up,  and  the 
paths  leading  to  the  seats  strewn  with  flowers. 

At  eleven  o'clock  the  Rev.  S.  Eger,  Chief  Rabbi  of  the 
community  ;  the  Rev.  S.  Plessner,  Chief  Lecturer ;  the  officers- 
of  the  Synagogue,  and  the  representatives  of  all  the  Hebrew 
charities,  in  all  about  sixty  gentlemen,  waited  upon  them  with 
an  address. 

The  streets  were  crowded,  and  on  reaching  the  Synagogue,, 
all  the  passages  were  filled  with  ladies  and  gentlemen,  with  lighted 
wax  candles  in  their  hands,  a  number  of  young  and  beautiful 
girls  strewing  roses  and  other  fragrant  flowers  before  us. 


Berlin.  357 

The  Synagogue  was  one  blaze  of  light,  from  hundreds  of 
wax  candles,  ornamented  with  flowers.  Sir  Moses  was  placed 
in  the  body  of  the  Synagogue,  and  Lady  Montefiore  in  the 
ladies'  gallery,  under  beautiful  canopies  with  rich  drapery  and 
flowers. 

The  Rev.  S.  Plessner  presented  a  beautiful  poem,  in  which  he 
expressed  a  hearty  welcome  and  the  deep  gratitude  of  his  com- 
munity ;  others,  equally  zealous  in  conveying  their  appreciation 
of  Sir  Moses'  and  Lady  Montefiore's  services,  presented  addresses 
in  German  or  French  ;  and  we  found  it  necessary  to  have  special 
cases  made  to  contain  them. 

We  left  Posen  in  the  evening,  travelled  the  whole  night,  and 
reached  Berlin  next  day  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening,  taking  up 
our  quarters  at  the  Hotel  de  St  Petersbourg. 

Berlin,  Friday,  May  ztyk. — Called  at  the  British  Embassy, 
but  learned  that  Lord  and  Lady  Westmoreland  were  in  England. 
Sir  Moses  saw  Sir  George  B.  Hamilton  (who  was  acting  for  him), 
and  expressed  his  desire  to  be  presented  to  His  Majesty,  the 
King  of  Prussia  ;  but  His  Majesty,  Sir  George  said,  was  at 
Torgau,  and  would  not  return  before  the  6th  of  June.  Sir  Moses 
then  left  his  card  on  Monsieur  Fonton,  at  the  Russian  Embassy. 

Mr  Bleichroder,  father  of  the  present  Consul  General  for 
England,  called,  also  the  Chief  Rabbi,  and  three  gentlemen 
from  Krakau,  to  present  an  address  to  Sir  Moses,  requesting 
him  to  speak  to  the  King  of  Prussia  in  favour  of  the  Jews  of  that 
place. 

The  following  three  days,  being  the  Sabbath  and  Pentecost 
festival,  most  of  the  time  was  taken  up  by  attending  divine 
service  and  receiving  visitors. 

June  2nd. — We  went  to  take  leave  of  Sir  George  Hamilton. 
Sir  Moses  expressed  regret  at  not  being  able  to  have  the  honour 
of  being  presented  to  His  Majesty,  as  ,he  had  hoped  to  have  the 
opportunity  of  praying  for  his  gracious  efforts  to  cause  the  Jews 
of  Cracow  to  be  placed  in  the  same  position  as  their  brethren  in 
His  Majesty's  other  dominions.  Sir  George  said  that  if  Sir 
Moses  wrote  him  a  letter  to  that  effect,  he  would  place  it  in  the 
King's  hands. 

In  the  course  of  conversation,  Sir  George  told  Sir  Moses  that 
he  had  received  an  express  from  Lord  Aberdeen,  desiring  him 
to  repair  to  Florence,  as  things  were  in  so  uncertain  a  state  in 


358       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

London  (alluding  to  the  Corn  Bill) ;  he  could  not  tell  how  soon 
a  change  might  take  place  ;  but  Lord  Brougham  and  Lady 
Westmoreland,  he  said,  had  written,  that  they  thought  Sir 
Robert  Peel  would  weather  the  storm. 

Berlin,  June  yd. — Soon  after  six,  an  elegant  carriage  sent 
by  the  deputies  of  the  Hebrew  community  of  the  city,  stopped 
at  our  door  to  convey  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  to  the 
railway  station.  There  were  also  thirty  other  carriages  with  a 
deputation,  and  the  ladies  of  their  families,  to  accompany  us  ; 
but  as  Sir  Moses  had  not  yet  received  the  memorial  from  the 
Cracow  deputation,  which  Sir  George  Hamilton  so  kindly  pro- 
mised to  put  into  His  Majesty's  hands  for  him,  we  could  not 
leave  until  half-past  twelve.  At  eleven  o'clock,  when  the 
memorial  was  brought,  we  at  once  proceeded  to  Sir  George,  and 
gave  it  to  him.  Sir  Moses  stated  all  the  particulars  of  the 
degraded  and  oppressed  state  of  the  Jews,  and  Sir  George 
repeated  the  promise  he  had  made,  adding  that  he  should  be 
most  happy  to  render  every  service  in  his  power  for  their  relief  \ 
and  he  would  call  upon  Sir  Moses  at  Park  Lane  when  in  Lon- 
don. On  our  arrival  at  the  station,  we  found  all  the  principal 
Jewish  families  waiting  to  bid  us  farewell. 

June  8t/i. — At  Frankfort-on-the  Main  a  brilliant  reception 
awaited  them.  The  Rothschild  family  and  all  the  principal 
Jewish  inhabitants  of  the  city,  together  with  the  Spiritual  Heads 
of  the  community,  vied  with  each  other  in  evincing  their  appre- 
ciation of  the  noble  work  that  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore 
had  done  in  the  cause  of  humanity.  Between  eleven  and  twelve 
o'clock  in  the  night  they  were  serenaded  by  a  band  of  Jewish 
musicians  (permission  having  been  previously  obtained  from  the 
Governor).  The  streets  were  crowded,  and  numbers  of  coloured 
lamps  gave  animation  to  the  scene.  When  Sir  Moses  appeared 
on  the  balcony,  bowing  his  warm  acknowledgments,  hearty 
cheers  re-echoed  from  all  sides. 

Among  the  numerous  persons  who  called  was  Professor 
Oppenheim,  of  whose  works  of  art  there  are  three  fine  specimens 
in  Lady  Montefiore's  Theological  College. 

June  \6th. — They  left  Calais  and  arrived  safely  at  Dover, 
on  their  way  to  Ramsgate ;  but  on  hearing  a  report  that  an 
epidemic  of  scarlet  fever  had  broken  out  near  East  Cliff,  they 
altered  their  route  and  proceeded  direct  to  London. 


CHAPTER   XLIV. 


SIR  MOSES  RECEIVES  THE  CONGRATULATIONS  OF  HIS  ENGLISH 
CO-RELIGIONISTS — HIS  EXHAUSTIVE  REPORT  TO  COUNT 
KISSELEFF  —  EXAMINATION  OF  THE  CHARGES  AGAINST 
THE  JEWS— THEIR  ALLEGED  DISINCLINATION  TO  ENGAGE 
IN  AGRICULTURE. 

IN  London,  as  at  Dover,  numerous  friends  were  waiting  to 
welcome  them,  but  Sir  Moses  did  not  remain  long  in  their 
company ;  he  deemed  it  his  duty,  before  entering  his  house  at 
Park  Lane,  to  call  on  Sir  Robert  Peel,  Lord  Aberdeen,  and 
Baron  Brunnow,  and  leave  his  cards. 

The  next  day  he  called  again  on  the  latter,  and  remained 
with  him  for  an  hour  ;  also  on  Sir  Robert  Peel,  and  on  Lord 
Aberdeen  at  the  Foreign  Office.  His  Lordship  said  he  should 
be  most  happy  at  all  times  to  do  what  he  could.  Sir  Moses 
also  called  on  Sir  Roderick  Murchison,  and  left  his  card,  with 
the  letter  from  Colonel  de  Helmerson  of  St  Petersburg ;  thence 
he  went  to  the  Palace,  to  enter  his  name  in  Prince  Albert's 
visitors'  book,  and  also  called  on  Lord  Bloomfield. 

Saturday,  June  2Otk, — Prayers  and  thanksgivings  were 
offered  up  in  all  the  Synagogues  for  the  safe  return  of  Sir 
Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore  from  Russia ;  and,  during  the  week 
following,  numerous  addresses  from  all  the  Hebrew  congrega- 
tions in  England,  as  well  as  from  those  in  other  parts  of  the 
world,  were  presented.  All  these  are  now  preserved  in  the 
Lecture  Hall  of  the  College  at  Ramsgate. 

Notwithstanding  his  natural  desire  for  rest,  after  the  labours 
of  his  recent  missions,  Sir  Moses  felt  that  the  greatest  and  most 
important  part  of  his  work  yet  remained  to  be  done.  He  had 
to  make  a  report  to  the  Emperor  of  Russia.  He  had  to  show 
His  Majesty  the  groundlessness  of  the  accusations  brought 
against  his  brethren,  and  to  place  before  the  Emperor  their 


360       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

humble  petition  for  the  removal  of  all  those  causes  which  pre- 
vented them  from  attaining  that  degree  of  prosperity  which  His 
Majesty  so  graciously  desired  that  they,  in  common  with  his 
other  faithful  subjects,  should  enjoy. 

He  also  had  to  report  on  the  state  of  their  education,  with  a 
view  to  removing  from  the  minds  of  His  Majesty's  Ministers  the 
unfavourable  impressions  which  incorrect  representations  had 
made  on  them. 

Sir  Moses  having  made  the  subject  in  question  his  principal 
study,  was  enabled,  after  mature  consideration,  to  draw  up  and 
forward  to  the  Ministers,  to  be  placed  in  the  Emperor's  hands, 
three  reports — one,  on  the  state  of  the  Jews  in  Russia  ;  another, 
on  that  of  the  Jews  in  Poland  ;  and  the  third,  on  the  state  of 
their  education  in  Russia  and  Poland. 

Sir  Moses,  however,  being  mindful  of  the  condescension 
shown  to  and  confidence  reposed  in  him  by  his  late  Imperial 
Majesty  the  Emperor  Nicholas,  considered  the  reports  as  pri- 
vate and  confidential  communications,  and  would  not  publish 
them  during  His  Majesty's  lifetime.  Now  that  both  the  Emperor 
and  Sir  Moses  are  no  more  in  the  land  of  the  living,  history 
demands  the  publication  of  what  Sir  Moses  communicated  to 
His  Majesty. 

I  therefore  place  before  the  reader  in  the  following  pages 
exact  copies  of  the  reports  in  question,  the  full  particulars  of 
which  he  has  undoubtedly,  in  the  interests  of  humanity,  the 
right  to  know. 

I  shall  also  give  the  Ministers'  reply,  made  by  command  of 
the  Emperor,  showing  that  His  Majesty  was  fully  informed  of 
all  the  communications  which  Sir  Moses  made  to  him,  and  had 
given  orders  for  the  formation  of  a  committee  to  examine  the 
statements  therein  made  to  him,  with  a  view  to  improve  the 
condition  of  his  Jewish  subjects. 

The  first  and  second  of  Sir  Moses'  reports  are  addressed  to 
Count  Kisseleft,  and  the  third  to  Count  Ouvaroft". 

"  To  His  EXCELLENCY,  LE  COMTE  DE  KISSELEFF,  Ministre  du  domaine 
de  1'Empire,  de  sa  Majeste"  1'Empereur  de  Russie,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 

"May  it  please  your  Excellency, — In  addressing  your  Excellency  after 
my  return  from  Russi  i  to  this  country,  I  deem  it  an  imperative  duty  to 
express  again  to  your  Excellency  the  deep  sense  of  gratitude  I  feel  for  the 
distinguished  honour  which  has  been  conferred  upon  me  by  His  Imperial 


Sir  Moses'  Report  to  Count  Kisseleff.  361 

Majesty,  in  granting  me  so  gracious  a  reception,  and  to  assure  your  Excel- 
lency that  the  kind  promises  which  I  have  received  from  that  most  exalted 
and  magnanimous  Monarch,  and  his  enlightened  Ministers,  to  promote  the 
welfare  of  my  co-religionists  dwelling  in  His  Majesty's  vast  empire,  have 
not  only  been  a  source  of  great  delight  to  the  Israelites  in  Russia,  and  to 
their  brethren  in  England,  but  have  very  extensively  afforded  great  satisfac- 
tion to  the  friends  of  humanity  throughout  Europe. 

"  The  perusal  of  the  very  important  documents  which  your  Excellency  was 
pleased  to  place  in  my  hands  previously  to  my  departure  from  Saint  Peters- 
burg, gave  me  an  additional  proof  of  the  paternal  principle  entertained  by 
His  Imperial  Majesty  towards  his  Hebrew  subjects  ;  and  when  that  august 
Monarch  graciously  intimated  to  me  that  I  should  go  and  see  the  state  of 
my  brethren,  I  hailed  the  opportunity  which  was  thus  afforded  to  me  to  com- 
municate to  them  the  good  intentions  of  the  Government,  and  to  persuade 
them  cheerfully  to  conform  to  the  benevolent  intentions  of  their  wise  and 
powerful  Monarch. 

"  It  is  now  my  momentous  task  in  compliance  with  your  Excellency's 
benign  suggestion,  to  report  to  your  Excellency  the  result  of  my  visit  to  His 
Majesty's  Hebrew  subjects,  and  I  feel  confident  that  your  Excellency  will 
deign  to  regard  my  communication  with  the  indulgent  attention  and  con- 
sideration which  the  cause  of  philanthropy  has  ever  received  from  your 
Excellency,  the  more  so  as  I  have  the  gratifying  promise  of  your  Excellency 
to  place  niy  representation  in  the  hands  of  His  Majesty,  whose  great  object 
it  has  ever  been  to  adopt  every  suitable  measure  for  securing  the  moral  and 
physical  welfare  of  every  subject  under  His  Imperial  sway. 

"From  the  information  which  I  gathered  during  my  sojourn  among  the 
various  Hebrew  congregations  in  Russia,  confirmed  by  my  own  personal 
observation,  I  am  enabled  to  affirm  that  my  brethren  in  His  Majesty's  empire 
are  fully  sensible  of  the  good  intentions  of  His  Majesty's  Government,  that 
they  speak  with  enthusiasm  of  the  magnanimity  of  their  mighty  Sovereign  ; 
and  declare  their  readiness  at  all  times  and  under  all  circumstances  to  serve 
their  country  to  their  latest  breath. 

"  It  did  not,  however,  escape  my  notice  that  there  exist  some  obstacle 
•which  prevent  the  benign  rays  of  His  Majesty's  mercy  from  imparting  to 
His  Hebrew  subjects  the  full  measure    of  comfort  to  which  the  wise  and 
just  general  laws  of  the  Russian  Government  would  entitle  them  ;  I  there- 
fore, with  your  Excellency's  permission,  will  now  briefly  repeat  the  advan- 
tages granted  to  them  by  their  excellent  Monarch,  and  venture  to  descnb 
briefly  to  what  extent  and  by  what  measures  they  are  administered  to  tl 
Israelites.     I  shall,  at  the  same  time,  not  withhold  from  your  Excellency  some 
observations  upon  the  charges  preferred  against  them,  which  I  will  leave  to 
the  wise  and  profound  judgment  and  candid  and  indulgent  consideration  of 
your  Excellency. 

"  In  the  document  your  Excellency  was  pleased  to  hand  me  it  is  stated  to 
the  effect— That  the  union  of  the  Polish  Provinces  with  Russia  was  for  t 
Israelites  a  new  epoch  ;  that  the  Imperial  Government  not  only  allowed 
them,  like  its  other  subjects,  to  partake  of  all  civil  rights,  and  granted  1 
permission  to  be  received  in  the  corporation  of  the  body  of  town  merchants, 
but  also  accorded  them  the  privilege  of  taking  part  in  the  elections,  and 
being  themselves  eligible  to  become  members  of  common  councils,  ai 
fill  other  local  offices.     Besides  this,  they  were  permitted  to  acquire  immove- 
-able  property,  and  to  settle  as  agriculturists,  either  on  their  own  estates  or  01 
the  lands  of  the  crown,  in  which  latter  case  Government  also  granted  t 
support  and  freedom  from  all  taxes,  the  Israelites  also  enjoying  the  right  < 
settling  in  seventeen   Governments  (a  superficies  of  17,000  square  miles) 
among  a  population  of  twenty  millions  of  inhabitants,  in  countries  where,  by 


o 


62       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 


means  of  the  harbours  of  the  Black  Sea  (and  in  part  through  those  of  the 
Baltic),  a  lively  commercial  intercourse  is  kept  up  both  in  Russia  and  with 
foreign  countries,  have  had,  it  is  stated,  all  possible  means  in  their  hands  of 
turning  their  activity  to  useful  objects,  and  of  establishing  their  prosperity 
upon  a  safe  basis. 

"  The  knowledge  that  such  privileges  have  been  accorded  cannot  but  excite 
a  deep  and  universal  gratitude  towards  His  Imperial  Majesty  for  the  paternal 
care  which  has  thus  been  taken  of  his  Hebrew  subjects.  But  on  a  careful 
examination  into  the  condition  of  the  Israelites  in  some  places  situated  within 
the  above  named  17,000  square  miles,  causes  appear  to  prevail  owing  to  which 
they  do  not  actually  derive  from  these  enlightened  measures  the  advantages 
they  were  intended  to  confer. 

"  I  would  respectfully  invite  your  Excellency's  attention  to  the  circum- 
stance that  in  the  entire  Government  of  Livonia  there  is  only  the  city  of  Riga  in 
which  the  Israelites  are  permitted  to  dwell,  and  there  only  to  the  number  of 
about  one  hundred  families.  In  Courland  only  those  Israelites  who  were 
present  in  the  year  1799  and  their  families  are  permuted  to  remain,  but  evea 
those  who  have  acquired  the  rights  of  citizenship  are  greatly  restricted  iri 
their  respective  trades,  for  a  Ukase,  dated  in  April  1835,  declares  the 
Israelites  in  Mitau.  in  consequence  of  a  privilege  granted  to  the  Christians 
of  that  city  in  the  year  1785,  disqualified  to  be  received  into  the  Christian 
corporations  of  the  body  of  tradesmen  or  mechanics.  The  result  of  such  a 
restriction  is  that  the  Israelite  is  never  regarded  as  a  master  tradesman,  and 
therefore  cannot  employ  in  his  service  either  a  journeyman  professing  the  Chris- 
tian religion  or  one  who  adheres  to  the  principles  of  his  own  religion.  He  is 
likewise  prohibited  from  keeping  apprentices  even  of  his  own  creed.  Thus  the 
Israelite  is  prevented  from  following  any  trade  that  requires  particular 
assistants  ;  he  cannot  with  any  prospect  of  success  become  a  joiner,  lock- 
smith, blacksmith,  or  bricklayer,  nor  can  he  do  the  work  of  any  mechanic  where 
the  aid  of  other  persons  is  absolutely  requisite.  The  disadvantages  which  he 
must  labour  under  are  indeed  numerous.  Where  there  is  a  large  family,  and 
the  children  are  of  tender  ages,  it  becomes  scarcely  possible  for  the  parent  to 
maintain  them,  and  it  must  be  evident  that  when  men  become  enfeebled  by 
old  age,  or  afflicted  by  bodily  infirmity,  they  can  no  longer  exert  personally 
the  labour  which  their  business  requires,  and  thus  they  become  utterly 
destitute  ;  and  when  a  parent  dies  his  children,  if  not  sufficiently  advanced 
in  years  to  have  acquired  from  him  a  knowledge  of  his  trade  (to  which  he 
dared  not  apprentice  them),  must  relinquish  it  altogether. 

"  Your  Excellency  may  perhaps  think  me  wrong  in  this  assertion,  the  former 
Governor  General,  the  Marquis  Paulucci,  having  in  the  year  1820  interceded 
in  the  Israelites'  behalf,  and  obtained  permission  that  they  should  in  future 
enjoy  the  privilege  of  teaching  their  children  their  respective  trades.  This 
privilege  has,  however,  again  been  taken  away  from  them.  In  the  course  oi 
time  most  of  the  operative  class  thus  naturally  became  poor,  to  such  a  fright- 
ful degree  that  the  community  is  obliged  to  furnish  them  with  the  necessaries 
of  life.  It  may  be  said  that  Israelites  who  cannot  follow  the  trade  of  their 
parents  need  not  become  a  burthen  on  the  congregation  ;  an  imperial  Ukase 
having  been  issued  in  April  1835  to  the  effect  that  the  Israelites  in  Courland 
should  enjoy  the  right  of  keeping,  either  by  rent  or  obrok,  farms,  inns,  or  bait- 
ing stables  ;  but  your  Excellency  will  please  to  remember  that  this  privilege 
was  soon  recalled.  And,  moreover,  for  some  cause  the  Hebrews  were 
ordered  to  quit  the  frontiers  of  Courland,  as  weil  as  all  the  other  places  situ- 
ated nea-r  the  sea  shores  ;  and  to  withdraw  fifty  wersts  into  the  interior  01 
the  country,  which  latter  decree  deprives  them  of  the  right  to  inhabit  nearly 
one-third  of  that  Gubernium.  In  the  same  province  the  Israelites  are  not 
only  prohibited  from  settling  with  their  families,  but  are  prevented  by  the 


Sir  Moses  Report  to  Count  Kisseleff.  363 

law  from  becoming  contractors  to  the  Crown  and  undertaking  the  erection 
of  any  government  building,  even  though  they  might  be  merchants  of  the 
first  or  second  guild.  Neither  are  they  suffered  to  sell  goods  by  wholesale 
under  their  own  firm. 

"  Your  Excellency  will  give  me  leave  also  to  advert  to  the  expulsion  of  my 
brethren  from  the  city  of  Kiew,  where  they  are  at  present  not  allowed  to  re- 
main even  a  single  night ;  from  the  city  of  Nicolaiew,  in  the  Gubernium  of 
Kherson  ;  the  city  of  Swart-opol,  in  the  Gubernium  of  Ekat-erinaslow  ;  and 
all  the  villages  situated  in  the  Gubernium  of  Whitebsk,  Moghilew,  Tchorni- 
gow,  and  Voltawa,  as  well  as  all  the  other  villages  of  those  Guberniums 
situated  within  fifty  wersts  along  the  frontiers. 

"  If  in  consequence  of  the  last  Ukases  the  Israelites  are  also  to  be  removed 
from  all  the  towns  and  villages  situate  within  fifty  wersts  of  the  Austrian  and 
Prussian  frontiers,  and  must  quit  every  house  where  the  sale  of  spirituous 
liquors  is  offered  to  the  peasant,  the  number  of  exiles  would  surely  equal  the 
number  of  those  who  are  already  settled  in  the  interior,  and  their  fate  cannot 
be  any  other  than  epidemic,  disease,  destitution,  and  starvation.  This,  as  I 
had  the  honour  of  hearing  personally  from  your  Excellency,  is  not  and  never 
can  be  the  intention  of  that  great  and  most  benevolent  Monarch  whose 
anxiety  for  the  welfare  of  all  his  faithful  subjects  is  so  well  known  to  all  the 
world. 

"With  respect  to  commerce,  the  above-named  space  of  land  of  seventeen 
thousand  square  miles,  if  available  to  the  Israelites,  as  was  originally  in- 
tended, would,  in  the  opinion  of  most  of  them,  afford  sufficient  scope  for 
securing  a  flourishing  state  of  commerce  amongst  them.  There  are,  how- 
ever, some  disadvantages  against  which  the  Hebrew  merchants  have  daily  to- 
contend,  and  unless  these  be  removed,  the  mere  extent  of  land  constituting 
the  field  for  their  exertions  would  not  insure  to  them  those  advantages  which 
they  might  have  expected  to  realise  from  the  benevolent  intentions  of  their 
illustrious  monarch.  Merchants  professing  any  other  faith,  either  purchase 
their  stock  in  the  interior  of  Russia,  or  proceed  to  foreign  countries  and  im- 
port it  from  them.  But  the  Hebrew  merchants  have  no  permission  to  travel 
into  the  interior  of  Russia,  with  the  exception  only  of  those  of  the  first  and 
second  guilds,  whose  privilege  is  restricted  to  making  one  journey  for  goods 
in  the  course  of  the  year  to  Moscow  ;  their  sojourn  in  that  city  being  limited 
— as  respects  the  former  to  six  months,  and  the  latter  to  three  months. 
Were  they  permitted  to  visit  Moscow  and  other  places  at  such  times  as  their 
business  might  require,  they  would  thus  have  sufficient  opportunity  for  the 
necessary  replenishment  of  their  warehouses  with  the  newest  fashions  in 
proper  season  during  the  year,  which  they  cannot  do  if  they  are  bound  to  lay 
in  at  once  a  stock  for  the  whole  year  ;  and  it  is  often  the  case  that  the  pur- 
chases they  have  made  in  Moscow  by  the  time  they  arrive  at  their  destination 
are  out  of  fashion.  The  Hebrew  merchant  is  obliged  to  appear  personally 
at  Moscow,  and  dares  not  send  his  agent  there  to  transact  his  business. 

"  Your  Excellency  will  be  pleased  to  consider  the  great  expenses  he  must 
incur  before  he  has  the  opportunity  of  offering  his  goods  for  sale,  and  the 
impossibility  of  his  becoming  prosperous  in  business  whilst  he  is  obliged  to 
repair  to  Moscow  for  such  goods  as  his  Christian  neighbour  can  import  from, 
the  nearest  factory  in  the  interior  of  the  land. 

"The  imperial  city  of  Saint  Petersburg  the  Israelite  must  never  visit  on 
commercial  business  ;  he  is  only  allowed  to  appear  there  in  connection  with 
a  law  suit,  or  in  some  other  particular  occasion,  of  very  rare  occurrence.  The 
Hebrew  merchant  thus  has  to  contend  with  numerous  difficulties  in  being 
obliged  to  import  his  goods  from  foreign  countries,  for  the  duty  he  has  to  pay 
on  them  is  exceedingly  high,  therefore  making  it  impossible  for  him  to  compete 
with  his  Christian  neighbour.  These  disadvantages  have  reduced  the  com- 


364      Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montcfiore. 

merce  of  the  Israelites  to  a  deplorably  low  ebb,  and  are  banishing  prosperity 
from  amongst  them.  And  it  is  a  fact  that  in  one  of  the  principal  cities  where 
formerly  there  were  thirty  Hebrew  Moscow  merchants,  there  are  at  present 
only  two,  and  these  can  only  preserve  their  commercial  standing  by  extreme 
exertion. 

"  Your  Excellency  will  further  condescend  to  take  into  consideration  that 
there  are  various  other  disadvantages  which  the  Israelites  have  to  contend 
with,  and  which  I  shall  merely  mention  in  a  few  words  for  fear  of  encroaching 
upon  your  Excellency's  most  valuable  time.  His  Majesty's  Hebrew  subjects 
are  deprived  of  their  congregational  unions  known  by  the  Hebrew  term 
Kahal,  and  are  thus  debarred  from  the  advantage  of  any  great  measure  for 
their  common  relief,  which  might  otherwise  be  effected  through  the  com- 
munity. The  Kahal  served  as  a  central  point  in  which  every  individual  had 
an  interest,  and  there  were  able  to  do  something  for  the  amelioration  of  their 
own  town  in  particular  cases,  which  cannot  be  done  now.  It  is  true  their 
financial  affairs  are  generally  under  the  best  care,  being  administered  by  the 
members  of  the  Town  Hall  (Dume),  where  according  to  His  Majesty's 
gracious  Ukase,  Israelites  are  entitled  to  be  admitted  ;  yet  it  appears  they 
are  excluded  from  the  enjoyment  of  this  privilege  in  some  important  cities 
where  they  were  first  refused  admission  as  members  of  the  magistracy,  and 
subsequently  excluded  from  participating  in  the  administration  in  the  Town 
Hall.  The  Israelites,  under  these  circumstances,  greatly  suffer  from  the 
dissolution  of  their  congregational  unions.  A  Hebrew  is  not  allowed  to 
-engage  the  assistance  of  any  Christian  servant,  neither  is  he  permitted  to 
settle  as  an  agriculturist  within  four  or  five  wersts  from  the  habitation  of  a 
Christian.  He  is  not  permitted  to  keep  posting  establishments.  He  is 
further  prohibited  from  keeping  brewhouses  either  in  towns  or  villages.  A 
Hebrew,  when  serving  in  the  army  or  navy  of  His  Majesty,  can  never  rise 
even  to  become  a  subaltern.  The  Israelite  suffers  from  all  the  above-named 
restrictions,  notwithstanding  the  distinct  desire  of  His  Imperial  Majesty  that 
he  should  be  allowed  to  partake  of  all  civil  rights  like  all  the  other  subjects 
of  His  Imperial  Majesty.  I  have  thus  endeavoured  to  present  to  your 
Excellency  a  brief  view  of  some  of  the  causes  which  operate  to  deprive  my 
brethren  of  the  full  enjoyment  of  those  privileges  intended  for  them  by  their 
illustrious  and  most  humane  Sovereign. 

"There  are,  however,  other  causes  which  I  fear  also  tend  to  this  unhappy 
result.  I  refer  more  particularly  to  certain  charges  made  against  the 
Israelites,  too  important  to  be  passed  over  unnoticed,  and  which,  entreating 
your  Excellency's  kind  attention,  I  will  now  proceed  to  enumerate  and 
comment  upon. 

"  I  have  ascertained  on  enquiry  that  the  following  charges  are  preferred 
against  the  Israelites,  viz.  : 

"  That  they  are  inclined  to  an  idle  course  of  life,  and  prefer  petty  com- 
merce to  agriculture  ;  hence  the  prohibition  not  to  live  in  Old  Russia. 

"That  they  impose  upon  the  peasant,  and  in  return  for  a  small  quantity  of 
spirit,  deprive  him  of  all  his  property  (hence  the  removal  from  all  the  villages 
in  the  Guberniums  of  Whitebsk  and  Moghelew). 

"  That  all  of  them  livin*g  near  the  frontiers  have  the  reputation  of  dealing 
in  contraband  goods  ;  hence  the  removal  from  all  the  towns  and  villages 
within  the  fifty  wersts. 

"  In  answer  to  the  above  accusations  in  general,  your  Excellency  will  permit 
me  to  say  that  I  am  far  from  being  inclined  to  aver  that  an  Israelite  of  a  bad 
disposition  is  less  capable  of  doing  wrong  than  any  other  individual  of  bad 
principles  belonging  to  any  other  creed,  but  I  feel  confident  that  a  wise  and 
just  Government,  like  that  of  His  Imperial  Majesty,  will  not  deem  it  right  to 
punish  many  thousands  of  its  Hebrew  subjects  lor  the  transgressions  of  a  lew. 


Sir  Moses  Report  to  Count  Kisseleff.  365 

Let  him  who  offends  against  the  law  of  the  country,  or  violates  the  rights  of 
his  fellow  creatures,  be  punished,  but  let  all  the  rest  enjoy  the  comfort 
designed  for  them  by  their  magnanimous  Monarch.  1  entreat  your  Excellency 
to  consider  that  the  number  of  Hebrews  who  maintain  themselves  by 
commercial  enterprises  is  but  a  small  portion  of  the  whole,  for,  as  I  had  the 
opportunity  of  seeing,  most  of  them  are  either  mechanics  or  common  labourers ;. 
they  do  not  appear  to  be  of  idle  disposition  ;  on  the  contrary,  they  seek  work 
as  far  as  they  are  permitted  to  extend  their  movements.  In  all  those  Guber- 
niums  where  Israelites  have  the  privilege  of  settling,  there  are  some  of  them 
who  are  tailors,  shoemakers,  farriers,  glaziers,  &c.,  £c.,  others  who  employ 
themselves  with  a  more  laborious  occupation,  as  that  of  a  blacksmith,  lock- 
smith, bricklayer,  carpenter,  &c.  There  is  a  class  which  may  be  reckoned 
amongst  the  artizans,  such  as  watchmakers  and  goldsmiths,  and  another, 
which  may  be  considered  as  a  most  numerous  one,  is  that  which  consists  of 
people  who  break  stones  on  the  chaussees,  cut  wood  for  fuel,  or  dig  the 
ground  and  carry  water,  or  remove  heavy  loads  from  one  place  to  another. 
Your  Excellency  will,  I  believe,  bear  me  out  in  this  statement,  for  the 
Israelites  to  this  very  day  remember  with  gratitude  when  your  Excellency, 
in  the  spring  of  1845,  feelingly  expressed  your  approbation  to  General  Bul- 
mering  of  his  having  allowed  the  Israelites  to  break  stones  on  the  road. 
There  is  also  another  instance  which  speaks  favourably  for  the  Israelites  in 
this  respect.  I  allude  to  two  of  the  finest  houses  at  Wilna,  the  one  belonging 
to  Count  Teschkewetz,  and  the  other  to  the  nobleman  Wilgatzke,  but  inhabited 
by  the  present  civil  Governor,  both  of  which  were  entirely  constructed  by  the 
Israelites.  This,  I  venture  to  say,  is  a  satisfactory  proof  of  their  being  most 
anxious  to  work,  and  if  the  fact  of  their  being  seen  walking  about  the  streets 
without  any  occupation  be  urged  against  my  assertion,  I  may  be  permitted  to 
answer  in  their  defence  that  want  of  work  (within  the  boundary  of  those  places 
where  they  are  authorised  to  live)  may  be  assigned  as  the  cause  of  it;  for 
the  Israelite  cannot,  like  his  Christian  neighbour,  quit  one  Gubernium  and 
repair  to  another,  where  he  may  be  sure  to  find  occupation. 

"  Indeed  there  are  often  a  great  many  Christian  labourers  to  be  seen  in  the 
Jewish  Guberniums,  in  consequence  of  their  business  being  slack  in  their  own 
district. 

"  Your  Excellency  will  now  permit  me  to  state  my  humble  opinion  with 
regard  to  the  accusation  of  the  Israelites  feeling  disinclined  to  cultivate  the 
land.  The  great  facilities  which  His  Majesty's  benevolent  Government 
afforded  me  for  the  purpose  of  having  the  necessary  intercourse  with  my 
brethren,  enabled  me  to  learn  that  they  were  always  desirous,  and  are  at 
present  most  anxious  to  devote  themselves  to  agriculture.  I  shall  adduce 
the  following  statement  in  support  of  this  assertion  :— In  the  year  1835,  when 
His  Imperial  Majesty  most  graciously  declared  that  the  Israelites  should 
cultivate  the  land,  a  great  many  of  them  shewed  their  willingness  to  desert 
their  homes  and  move  even  to  the  remotest  parts  of  the  country.  Unfortunately 
after  several  hundreds  of  Israelites  had  sold  all  their  moveable  and  immove- 
able  property  to  repair  to  Tobolsk  and  Omsk,  in  Siberia  (these  two  places 
having  been  assigned  to  them),  and  actually  succeeded,  though  not  without 
great  sufferings  on  the  road,  in  reaching,  with  their  wives  and  children,  the 
above-named  colonies,  it  was  intimated  to  them  that  the  land  was  not  to  be 
cultivated  by  the  Israelites.  In  the  year  1840,  a  great  many  families  went  to 
Kherson  for  the  same  purpose,  but  a  considerable  number  of  them  on  their 
arrival  found  their  plans  frustrated.  They  were  most  kindly  treated  it  is  true, 
by  His  Excellency  the  Governor  of  Wilna.  Every  adult  received  forty-eight 
copecks  banco  assignations,  and  every  child  half  that  sum.  They  were  also 
provided  with  the  necessary  vehicles  tor  their  conveyance  one  being  assigned 
to  each  lamily  ;  but  as  they  proceeded  thence  into  the  other  Guberniums  the 


366       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montcftorc. 

adults  received  only  twenty-four  copecks  banco  and  the  children  twelve 
copecks  banco  each,  and  the  number  of  vehicles  was  reduced  to  one  for  every 
two  families.  The  emigrants  had  to  wait  several  days  before  the  vehicles 
Avcre  ready  for  their  use,  during  which  time  they  were  not  provided  with  the 
necessary  diet  money.  They  were  further  furnished  with  boats  for  the  pur- 
pose of  performing  part  of  the  journey  on  the  river  Berezina  and  Dnieper. 
The  money  requisite  to  pay  the  hire  of  these  boats  was  deducted  from  the 
amount  allotted  for  their  diet.  The  Israelites  were  assured  that  it  would  take 
them  only  a  fortnight's  time  to  make  the  passage  on  the  rivers,  and  for  this 
reason  only  received  money  to  defray  the  expenses  of  their  diet  during  that 
period  :  but  the  passage  occupied  seven  weeks,  and  they  had  to  sustain 
themselves  out  of  their  own  means.  Many  of  them  were  great  sufferers  from 
severe  cold  and  hunger,  and  a  considerable  number  who  had  not  even  the 
smallest  coin  beyond  that  which  they  received  from  Government,  being 
left  without  food,  whilst  they  had  to  endure  the  inclemency  of  the  season, 
necessarily  perished. 

"The  survivors,  on  arriving  at  the  places  of  their  destination,  found  that 
they  could  not  obtain  possession  of  the  houses,  agricultural  implements,  and 
cattle  assigned  for  them  in  the  month  of  May  in  accordance  with  the  decree 
of  His  Majesty's  Government,  but  had  to  wait  for  them  until  the  month  of 
August,  and  for  the  articles  furnished  to  them  which  were  of  a  very  bad 
description,  they  were  subject  to  a  charge  considerably  exceeding  their  value. 

"The  rye  seed  which  the  Israelites  ought  to  have  received  in  the  month 
of  August,  was  not  given  to  them  before  the  month  of  October ;  the  con- 
sequence was,  that  the  crops  of  the  first  year  did  not  prosper,  and  they  were 
obliged  to  take  provision  from  the  Government  for  the  next  year  also.  The 
seed  for  the  summer  crops  which  ought  to  have  been  given  them  in  the 
month  of  March,  they  did  not  receive  before  the  month  of  May  ;  thus  they 
were  obliged  to  put  the  seed  into  the  ground  very  late  in  the  season,  and 
heavy  rains  which  followed  again  caused  the  crops  to  fail.  The  habitations 
assigned  for  their  occupation  being  of  very  bad  materials,  and  badly  con- 
structed, most  of  them  soon  fell  to  the  ground. 

"Then  followed  an  epidemic  disease  among  the  cattle,  and  the  Israelites 
suffered  a  considerable  loss.  In  consequence  of  this  misfortune  the  Govern- 
ment benevolently  ordered  passports  to  be  granted  in  order  that  they  might 
repair  to  other  places  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  their  daily  bread  ;  but 
instead  of  paying  for  a  passport  valid  for  a  year,  according  to  the  law  of  the 
country,  they  had  sometimes  to  pay  most  exorbitantly. 

"  In  addition  to  this  and  other  similar  hardships,  I  may  mention  the  fact 
of  the  Poll  Tax  being  demanded  from  the  old  settlers  who  are  not  liable 
to  it. 

"  In  the  year  1844,  when  an  Imperial  Ukase  appeared  again  inviting  the 
Hebrews  to  agriculture,  with  a  grant  of  support  out  of  the  Korabka,  His 
Majesty's  Hebrew  subjects,  desirous  to  avail  themselves  of  this  Ukase,  not 
only  forwarded  their  humble  petitions  on  the  subject  to  the  Governors  of 
their  respective  towns  and  villages,  but  even  made  voluntary  offers  to  defray 
the  necessary  expenses  from  their  own  means.  Your  Excellency  has  full 
evidence  of  this  fact  in  the  numerous  applications  addressed  to  your  illus- 
trious person,  and  I  feel  convinced  that  your  Excellency  will  be  surprised  to 
hear  that  difficulties  are  thrown  in  the  way  on  occasions  like  the  following. 

"  Some  Crown  land  situate  in  the  vicinity  of  Wilna  and  Kowno  was 
offered  to  the  public  by  auction,  and  Israelites  were  prohibited  from  being 
amongst  the  applicants,  although  many  of  them  distinctly  declared  their 
willingness  to  cultivate  the  land  in  question  personally.  All  this,  I  trust,  will 
be  sufficient  to  satisfy  your  Excellency  that  the  Israelites  are  not  averse  to 
agricultural  pursuits,  and  that  there  is  no  toundation  for  the  charge  brought 
against  them  in  this  respect. 


Sir  Moses1  Report  to  Count  Kisseleff.  367 

"  Having  thus,  I  trust,  convinced  your  Excellency  that  there  is  no  just 
ground  for  the  accusation  that  my  brethren  are  disinclined  to  work  labori- 
ously and  cultivate  the  land,  I  now  humbly  request  your  Excellency  to  con- 
sider with  your  wonted  justice  the  two  other  charges  brought  against  them, 
viz. : — 

"  That  they  impose  upon  the  peasant  and  deal  in  contraband  goods,  these 
vices  being  traceable  to  a  disposition  to  idleness.  I  trust,  however,  I  have 
succeeded  in  proving  that  idleness  is  unjustly  charged  against  them,  and  in 
further  refutation  of  these  two  imputations  against  the  Israelites  generally,  I 
may  also  be  justified  in  observing  that  a  man,  however  inclined  he  may  be 
to  accumulate  riches,  will  not  readily  give  up  an  occupation  which  insures 
him  bread  in  comfort,  and  respectability  for  a  business  that  is  attended 
with  little  profit  and  great  risk  of  life.  I  have  already  stated  to  your  Excel- 
lency that  only  the  fourth  part  of  the  Hebrew  population  in  each  town  or 
village  is  engaged  in  commercial  pursuits,  and  supposing  even  for  a  moment, 
that  all  the  merchants  in  any  one  town  might  be  liable  to  transgress  the  law 
of  excise  and  customs  (which  case,  I  think,  almost  impossible,  as  the  Hebrew 
law  distinctly  forbids  such  transgressions),  surely  so  wise  and  benevolent  a 
Government  will  not  cause  the  removal  of  the  entire  Hebrew  population  from 
the  Austrian  and  Prussian  frontiers,  because  a  few  among  them  may  have 
acted  in  opposition  to  the  law  ?  For  these  delinquents  I  do  not  intercede,  His 
Majesty's  wise  and  paternal  Government  will  treat  them  like  similar  offenders 
in  the  Imperial  cities  of  Saint  Petersburg  and  Moscow,  where  I  believe  it 
will  appear  from  the  records  preserved  by  His  Majesty's  Minister  of  Finance, 
there  exists  a  great  number  of  them  notwithstanding  the  entire  absence  of 
Israelites.  I  implore  only  the  extension  of  its  merciful  protection  to  the 
rest  of  the  Hebrew  inhabitants. 

"The  presence  of  the  Israelites  in  the  various  villages  throughout  the 
Empire  is  said  to  be  pernicious  to  the  peasants.  From  the  information  I 
received,  your  Excellency  will  perceive  that  this  cannot  be  the  case.  My 
informants  assured  me  that  since  the  Israelites  were  obliged  to  leave  the 
Guberniums  of  White  Russia  and  Little  Prussia,  the  peasants  have  found 
themselves  in  a  most  deplorable  state,  and  are  very  often  in  such  an  unfor- 
tunate condition  that  they  are  even  without  the  seeds  necessary  for  the 
future  crops,  which  never  happened  whilst  the  Israelites  were  amongst  them. 

"There  is  also  another  striking  proof  which  your  Excellency,  I  am  con- 
fident, will  agree  with  me  to  be  in  their  favour.  If  the  Israelites  had  indeed 
imposed  upon  the  peasants  and  impoverished  them,  the  former,  as  they  were 
obliged  to  quit  the  villages  and  join  their  brethren  in  the  towns,  would 
undoubtedly  have  carried  some  property  with  them,  but  their  utter  destitu- 
tion was  apparent  from  almost  all  of  them  becoming  immediately  a  heavy 
burthen  on  the  congregation,  and  many  of  them  actually  perished  from 
want  before  they  could  reach  the  town  fixed  upon  for  their  future  abode. 

"  Your  Excellency  will  also  be  pleased  to  reflect  that  the  proprietors  of  the 
various  establishments  let  on  rent  to  the  Israelites  being  themselves  good 
and  charitable  Christians,  and  naturally  most  benevolently  inclined  towards 
their  brethren  in  faith,  would  not  have  suffered  their  Hebrew  tenants  to 
impose  upon  them,  and  had  the  Israelites  in  reality  been  guilty  of  the  crime, 
the  proprietors  would  of  themselves  have  driven  them  away. 

"The  circumstances,  explanations  of  which  I  have  now  had  the  honour 
of  submitting  to  your  Excellency,  have,  however,  in  consequence  perhaps  ot 
similar  endeavours  not  having  been  made  previously  to  the  present  moment, 
produced  an  unfavourable  impression  on  the  mind  of  His  Majesty's  Govern- 
ment ;  so  much  so,  that  His  Majesty  the  Emperor,  in  his  august  solicitude 
lor  the  weltare  of  the  Hebrew  population  resident  in  his  dominions,  appointed 
a  special  committee  to  investigate  the  causes  ot  the  unsatisfactory  state  m 


368       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Mont  eft  ore. 

which  the  population  remains  to  this  day,  and  to  deliberate  on  the  me->ns- 
fittest  to  be  applied  as  remedies.  The  result  of  these  enquiries  was  that  the 
Israelites  were  represented  to  the  Committee  in  very  erroneous  and  unfavour- 
able colours.  Those  who  were  characterised  as  rebellious  and  disobedient 
were  therefore  subjected  to  coercive  measures  as  idlers  who  prove  a  burthen 
to  the  society  of  which  they  are  members,  and  in  order  to  be  able  to  institute 
a  just  discrimination  between  such  Israelites  as  have  sought  to  make  them- 
selves useful,  and  such  as  do  not  yet  carry  on  a  trade  or  some  other  legal 
occupation,  His  Majesty's  Government  calls  upon  the  latter  to  enrol  them- 
selves in  one  of  the  four  following  classes  :  ist,  one  of  the  three  guilds  of 
merchants  ;  2nd,  the  burgess  of  a  town  by  the  purchase  of  a  piece  of  land 
or  a  house  ;  3rd,  a  corporation  of  artizans,  after  having  given  the  proof  of 
ability  required  by  the  law  ;  or  4th,  the  grand  body  of  agriculturists,  whether 
on  their  own  property  or  under  a  proprietor.  And  such  Israelites  as  shall 
not  h-ive  placed  themselves  by  the  appointed  time  (the  ist  January  1850)  in 
one  of  the  four  classes  are  to  be  subject  to  such  restrictive  measures  as  the 
Government  shall  think  it  right  to  employ. 

"  Believing  that  in  consequence  of  such  classification  more  than  four-fifths 
of  the  Hebrew  population  will  necessarily  have  to  be  enlisted  amongst  those 
who,  according  to  the  above  declaration,  will  be  regarded  as  a  burthen  on 
society  at  large,  I  feel  it  a  duty  humbly  and  earnestly  to  make  a  few  obser- 
vations to  your  Excellency,  and  beg  at  the  same  time  that  your  Excellency 
will  be  pleased  to  give  credit  to  my  assurance  that  in  this  instance  I  am 
regarding  the  Israelites  not  with  the  sympathy  natural  to  a  brother  in  faith, 
but  with  the  impartiality  of  a  perfect  stranger  ;  the  sentiments  which  I  now 
shall  have  the  honour  to  express  to  your  Excellency  being  those  only  of  a 
friend  to  humanity. 

"  There  cannot  exist  a  doubt  that  the  above  imperial  decree  will  be  a  most 
beneficial  incentive  to  a  large  number  of  the  Hebrew  communities  to  enrol 
themselves  in  some  one  of  the  four  classes  in  question  ;  and  his  most 
gracious  Majesty  will  now  have  the  high  gratification  of  knowing  that  in 
future  those  amongst  his  Hebrew  subjects  can,  under  no  pretence  whatever, 
be  accused  of  idleness,  the  nature  of  their  occupation  being  registered  in  the 
archives  of  the  respective  Guberniums  they  inhabit.  I,  however,  humbly 
venture  to  suggest  the  addition  of  two  other  classes  to  the  four  already 
specified,  as  a  proceeding  in  accordance  with  the  enlightened  views  of  His 
Majesty's  Government.  I  allude,  first,  to  labourers  of  every  description, 
domestic  servants,  clerks,  commercial  agents,  brokers  and  employees,  water- 
carriers,  porters,  waggoners  and  carmen,  provision  dealers,  cutters  of  wood 
for  fuel,  and  persons  engaged  in  similar  occupations.  The  nature  of  their 
pursuits  does  not  qualify  them  to  be  enrolled  in  any  of  the  four  classes,  yet 
they  are  a  body  of  people  who,  as  your  Excellency  will  admit,  deserve  to  be 
looked  upon  with  an  eye  of  mercy  for  two  reasons.  First,  because  they  are 
continually  exerting  themselves  by  their  incessant  labours  to  maintain  them- 
selves and  their  families  in  an  honest  and  respectable  way  ;  and,  secondly, 
because  the  existence  of  such  individuals  is  most  essential  to  the  promotion 
of  the  welfare  and  comfort  of  His  Majesty's  Hebrew  subjects  belonging  to 
any  of  the  four  classes.  For  if  the  latter  were  obliged  to  devote  their  time 
and  attention  to  "all  the  work  originally  intended  to  be  executed  by  their 
inferiors,  what  would  become  of  their  business  ?  Would  it  then  not  appear 
quite  natural  that  in  the  course  ot  time  their  situation  would  become  pre- 
carious to  such  a  degree  that  they  would  have  to  give  up  their  avocations 
altogether.  Another  class  of  people  which  I  am  particularly  anxious  to 
introduce  to  the  consideration  of  His  Majesty's  Government  is  that  which 
comprises  the  spiritual  leaders  of  the  congregations,  assessors  of  the  Hebrew 
ecclesiastical  courts,  scribes  qualified  to  write  the  sacred  scrolls  of  the  Penta- 


Sir  Moses  Report  to  Count  Kisseleff.  369 

tench,  and  other  religious  documents,  persons  qualified  to  slav  animals  for 
food  m  conformity  with  the  Jewish  law,  readers  of  prayers  'in  the  Syna- 
gogue, readers  of  the  Pentateuch  to  the  congregation,  operators  of  circum- 
cision, students  who  devote  themselves  to  the  study  of  Hebrew  theolooy 
and  teachers  of  religion.  The  body  of  people  just  mentioned,  your  Excellency 
will  give  me  leave  to  say,  I  regard  as  the  very  soul  of  the  congregation, 
for  it  is  religion  alone  that  makes  a  man  true  and  faithful  to  his  fellow 
creatures,  and  sincere  and  loyal  to  the  Government  under  which  he  lives. 

"His  Imperial  Majesty  being  sensible  of  this  sacred  truth,  in  his  great 
mercy  and  paternal  love  to  all  his  subjects  without  reference  to  their  religious 
creeds,  granted  permission  to  his  Hebrew  subjects,  the  soldiers  at  St  Peters- 
burg, to  have  Synagogues  of  their  own,  and  I  assure  your  Excellency  that  I 
cherish  with  feelings  of  the  deepest  gratitude  to  His  Majesty,  the  memory  of 
those  days  when,  by  his  gracious  permissson,  I  was  enabled  to  join  my 
brethren  in  prayer.  This  event  alone  is  a  sufficient  assurance  to  me  that  His 
Majesty's  Government  will  in  its  wisdom  add  all  those  individuals  to  the 
classes  of  those  who  are  considered  as  subjects  useful  to  society.  There  are 
also  individuals,  though  they  cannot  be  brought  under  any  of  these  various 
classes,  to  whom  the  Government  will,  I  dare  hope,  extend  its  mercv.  I 
mean  persons  advanced  in  age,  or  in  an  infirm  state  of  health,  and  others 
who  have  no  choice  but  to  cultivate  the  soil,  but  have  not  the  means  to 
purchase  land  and  agricultural  implements.  In  short,  these  observations  are 
merely  to  show  that  an  immense  number  of  people  still  exist  who  may  be  in 
every  respect  useful,  honest,  industrious,  learned,  and  distinguished  in  various 
branches  without  finding  a  place  in  any  of  the  four  classes.  A  wise  and 
humane  Government  then  will  surely  not  suffer  them  to  be  regarded  as  a 
burthen  to  the  congregations,  and  cause  them  to  be  subjected  to  coercive 
measures. 

"  I  have  now  shown  (I  trust  clearly)  to  your  Excellency  that  the  reasons 
advanced  for  not  extending  to  the  Israelites  the  mercy  of  their  most  illustrious 
and  benevolent  Monarch  are  unfounded  incorrect  representations,  a  circum- 
stance which,  of  course,  I  am  far  from  attributing  to  the  most  honourable  and 
distinguished  Committee  appointed  for  the  purpose,  but  to  parties  for  unac- 
countable reasons  inimically  inclined  towards  the  Israelites.  I  have  further 
proved  to  your  Excellency  that  the  Israelites  in  general  are  not  of  an  idle 
disposition  ;  that,  moreover,  most  of  them  are  anxious  to  cultivate  the  land, 
and  even  pray  for  such  occupation;  that  the  majority  of  the  Israeli tes 
dwelling  near  the  Austrian  and  Prussian  frontiers  are  so  circumstanced  that 
an  accusation  of  transgressing  the  laws  of  excise  and  customs  cannot  in 
justice  be  preferred  against  them.  I  have  also  represented  to  your  Excel- 
lency that  the  numerous  restrictions  under  which  the  Israelites  of  all  classes- 
suffer  are  a  cause  that  their  commerce  can  have  no  chance  whatever  of  pros- 
pering, but  that,  on  the  contrary,  they  must  from  day  to  day  sink  into  deeper 
distress  ;  and,  further,  that  the  last  measure  adopted  for  the  amelioration  of 
their  condition  would  tend  to  a  contrary  effect,  unless  the  number  of  classes, 
be  increased.  It  is  an  unquestionable  fact  that  the  great  body  of  the  Israel- 
ites in  His  Majesty's  empire  are  in  a  state  of  extreme  misery.  I  do  not 
venture  to  discuss  again  the  causes  of  these  evils,  but  only  speak  of  the 
reality  and  depth  of  their  existence.  His  Majesty  himself  has  seen  them, 
the  Special  Commission  has  verified  the  fact,  and  I  myself  having  had  His 
Majesty's  most  gracious  permission  to  visit  my  brethren,  have  been  a  sorrow- 
ful witness  of  it.  This,  then,  being  so,  I  am  convinced  His  Majesty  and  his 
Government  will  bear  with  me  while,  with  heartfelt  gratitude  for  the  good- 
ness which  His  Majesty  has  already  extended  to  the  House  of  Israel  in  his 
solicitude  to  be  made  acquainted  with  their  real  condition,  I  venture  to  sub- 
mit to  your  Excellency  my  own  very  humble  but  earnest  belief  of  the  prin- 


37O      Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

ciples  of  policy  which,  if  brought  into  action,  would  surely  remedy  most 
extensively  the  evils  already  described,  and  bring  the  work  of  investigation 
which  His  Majesty  and  his  Government  have  begun  to  a  most  happy, 
glorious,  and  honourable  consummation. 

"  I  venture  to  hold  my  own  views  on  this  subject  with  confidence  and 
decision,  only  because  I  know  most  intimately  the  feelings  of  my  brethren. 
I  have  observed  them  closely  in  different  parts  of  the  world  ;  have  watched 
over  them  through  a  long  life  with  very  anxious  attention  ;  and  could  now, 
if  it  would  benefit  them,  lay  down  that  life  for  what  I  know  to  be"their  true 
character. 

"  Their  natural  disposition  as  a  body,  your  Excellency,  is  not  what  it  may 
have  appeared  to  be.  Expelled  long  ago  with  fearful  slaughter  from  their 
ancient  country,  and  dispersed  in  every  land  under  heaven,  the  oppression 
of  ages  may  have  given  them,  in  the  eyes  of  His  Majesty's  Government,  the 
semblance  of  a  character  which  is  not  their  own.  That  which  they  may 
appear  to  have  may  be  artificial  and  superficial,  forced  upon  them  by  long 
existing,  most  extraordinary,  and  peculiar  circumstances.  For  these  evils  His 
Majesty  the  Emperor  holds  the  full  and  most  efficacious  remedy  in  his  own 
most  gracious  heart  and  most  powerful  hands,  under  the  blessing  of  Almighty 
God,  which  would  surely  rest  upon  him  in  the  prosecution  of  such  an 
unspeakably  benign  object. 

"Will  His  Majesty  deign  to  hear  my  most  humble  and  most  earnest 
petition,  and  graciously  put  this  remedy  into  application  ? 

"  I  beseech  indulgent  consideration  while,  confiding  in  the  nobleness  of 
His  Majesty's  mind,  and  in  the  high  wisdom  of  His  Majesty's  Ministers,  I 
proceed  to  describe  it. 

"  It  consists  primarily  in  nothing  more  than  the  full  and  real  accordance  to 
Israelites  of  the  boon  which  His  Majesty's  Ministers  have  informed  me  has 
been  already  designed  for  them  by  the  Imperial  Government — videlicit, 
"  Equal  rights  with  all  other  subjects  of  the  empire."  This  great  favour  be- 
stowed by  His  Majesty  publicly,  immediately,  and  without  reserve  would,  I 
am  deeply  persuaded,  produce  the  most  beneficial  results.  It  would  cancel 
at  once  the  heavy  despondency  produced  by  the  degradation  of  ages ;  it 
would  call  forth  the  ardent  gratitude  which  I  assure  your  Excellency  abounds 
in  the  hearts  of  my  brethren,  and  it  would  present  to  His  Majesty's  other 
subjects,  and  to  the  world  at  large,  a  most  distinguished  proof  of  His 
Majesty's  paternal  mercy,  wisdom,  condescension,  and  high  magnanimity. 

"  I  would  not  argue  that  this  favour,  if  it  had  been  granted  without  limit  at 
other  times,  and  under  other  circumstances,  would  have  been  productive  of 
the  same  advantages.  I  would  only  humbly  urge  that  now  at  this  moment, 
•when  the  minds  of  my  brethren  and  of  other  men  have  been  so  powerfully 
drawn  to  observe  His  Majesty's  attention  to  their  condition,  such  a  measure 
must  be  followed  by  most  happy  consequences. 

"  Entering  with  the  deepest  respect  into  the  details  of  this  subject,  I  would 
most  earnestly  solicit  and  supplicate — 

"  \st.  That  my  brethren  should  enjoy  without  reserve  the  fullest  and  com- 
pletest  right  of  settling  at  their  own  choice  in  any  part  of  the  Russian  terri- 
tory comprised  within  seventeen  governments  or  provinces,  a  surface 
occupying  17,000  square  miles,  and  that  to  this  end  His  Majesty  the 
Emperor  would  be  most  graciously  pleased  to  cancel  all  laws  and  customs 
•which  prevent  them  from  settling  in  any  towns  and  villages  of  the  Guber- 
niums  of  Livonia  and  Courland,  in  the  cities  of  Kiew  (formerly  a  most  con- 
siderable Hebrew  congregation),  Nicolaiew,  and  Swatopol,  and  in  the 
villages  situated  in  the  Guberniums  of  Whitebsk,  Mogilew,  Tschornigow,  and 
Poltawa,  and  that  His  Majesty  would  further  graciously  and  mercifully  deign 
to  cancel  entirely  the  Ukases  which  order  the  removal  of  all  Israelites  for 


Sir  Moses  Report  to  Count  Kisseleff.  371 

fifty  wersts  from  the  frontiers  and  sea  shores,  leaving  to  summary 
individual  punishment  any  evil  disposed  persons  who  might  participate  in 
offences  against  the  revenue,  and  by  His  Majesty's  great  kindness  exciting 
the  good  and  loyal  to  combine  amongst  themselves  to  put  down  all  such 
nefarious  practices,  as  I  faithfully  believe  that  moved  by  His  Majesty's  high 
policy  and  favour  they  would  do. 

"  2nd.  That  they  should  be  allowed  to  live  in  every  town  or  village  situated 
within  the  already  mentioned  space  of  17,000  square  miles  without  being 
confined  to  any  particular  street  or  restricted  locality,  and  to  establish  manu- 
factories. It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  Hebrew  population  has 
greatly  increased  since  the  period  (December  9,  1804)  when  they  were  first 
confined  to  the  abovenamed  space.  From  my  own  observation  I  can  affirm 
that  in  many  places  the  Hebrew  people  live  crowded  together  to  such  a  de- 
gree, that  four  or  five  families  have  no  more  room  to  occupy  than  that 
which  would  barely  suffice  for  one  family  in  any  other  Gubernium  inhabited 
by  His  Majesty's  subjects  of  another  creed. 

"  yd.  The  suspension  of  the  Ukase  respecting  the  removal  from  the  inns 
in  the  villages,  and  permission  to  the  Hebrew  inhabitants  of  the  Gubernium 
of  Courland  to  keep  farms,  inns,  and  baiting  stables  agreeably  to  an  Imperial 
Ukase  of  the  i3th  April  1835-64. 

"4///.  The  admission  of  the  Hebrew  mechanics,  artizans,  and  tradesmen 
inhabiting  Courland  into  the  Christian  corporations  of  their  respective  trades, 
or  to  substitute  the  privilege  of  forming  their  own  corporations  so  that  the 
Israelite  might  have  the  advantage  of  being  allowed  to  keep  his  journeymen, 
apprentices,  or  other  assistants  to  his  trade  belonging  to  his  own  creed  or  to 
any  other,  and  thus  avert  inevitable  distress. 

"  $th.  Permission  to  Hebrew  merchants  throughout  Russia  belonging  to 
any  one  of  the  three  guilds  to  travel  into  the  interior  of  Russia  for  commer- 
cial purposes,  and  to  visit  Moscow  and  St  Petersburg  with  the  same  freedom 
as  the  merchants  of  other  creeds,  and  the  extension  of  this  permission  to 
their  agents,  and  also  to  mechanics  of  every  description,  and  to  carmen, 
waggoners,  and  labourers  for  the  more  successful  prosecution  of  their  busi- 
ness ;  of  course  upon  the  condition  of  their  being  provided  with  the  custom- 
ary passports.  Respecting  those  individuals  who  do  not  belong  to  any  of  the 
four  classes,  my  humble  petition  to  His  Majesty's  Government  would  be  to 
permit  them  to  go  into  the  neighbouring  Guberniums  for  the  purpose  of  their 
making  purchases  of  the  produce  of  the  land  and  necessary  provisions. 
Such  privileges  to  Hebrew  merchants  and  others,  instead  of  being  a  disad- 
vantage to  commercial  persons  of  other  creeds,  would,  I  think,  operate  to 
their  great  benefit,  for  competition  and  activity  are  the  mainsprings  of  pros- 
perous commerce,  and  these  elements  would  become  increased  universally 
amongst  the  trading  classes  by  this  act  of  favour. 

"bth.  Permission  to  re-establish  the  congregational  unions  called  Kahals, 
which  serve  them  as  their  natural  point  of  centralization ;  and  to  leave  all 
congregational  offices  in  the  hands  of  Israelites,  so  that  their  finances,  their 
charitable  institutions,  and  their  minor  duties  may  be  under  their  own  ad- 
ministration. This  boon  would,  I  am  sure,  be  particularly  satisfactory  to 
my  brethren,  and  would  especially  call  forth  at  the  same  time  their  con- 
fidence and  affection  towards  His  Majesty's  person  and  his  Government, 
and  that  proper  feeling  of  self-respect  without  which  they  cannot  be  expected 
to  rise  from  their  present  condition  of  despondent  degradation. 

"jth.  Permission  to  Israelites  to  avail  themselves  of  the  assistance  of 
Christians  in  the  various  occupations  of  life— a  measure  which  would  tend 
strongly  to  soften  down  those  feelings  of  difference  which  now  exist  be- 
tween these  two  classes  of  His  Majesty's  subjects,  and  to  obliterate  that  line 
of  demarcation  which  His  Majesty  and  his  Government  justly  regard  with 
-so  much  regret. 


o/2 


Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 


"  S///.  Permission  to  the  Isvaelites  to  live  as  agriculturists  in  the  vicinity 
of  their  Christian  neigh hours. 

"gt/i.  The  right  of  keeping  brewhouses. 

"  loth.  Promotion  from  the  ranks  of  Hebrew  soldiers  or  sailors  who  dis- 
tinguish themselves  in  the  Imperial  army  or  navy. 

"  I  ith.  And,  in  tine,  the  removal  from  the  Israelites  of  all  such  taxes  and 
restrictions  as  at  present  they  are  made  to  bear  in  a  greater  number  and  to 
a  greater  extent  than  other  classes  of  His  Majesty's  subjects,  and  in  particu- 
lar that  of  the  Sabbath  Light,  which  presses  so  heavily  on  the  poor. 

"  Such  are  the  general  details  of  the  request  that  I  most  respectfully  solicit 
your  Excellency  to  lay  before  His  Majesty  the  Emperor.  I  most  humbly 
and  earnestly  pray,  that  in  the  great  opportunity  which  Divine  Providence 
has  opened  to  His  Majesty,  he  will  raise  the  fallen,  relieve  the  oppressed, 
cheer  the  desolate,  and  by  a  high  and  magnanimous  measure  of  policy  set 
an  example  which  the  whole  world,  and  especially  my  brethren,  will  never 
cease  to  remember  with  gratitude  and  admiration. 

"  Your  Excellency  will  observe  that  what  I  here  entreat  in  the  name  of  my 
brethren,  as  well  as  in  that  of  every  friend  of  humanity,  amounts  in  fact  to 
nothing  more  than  that  which  your  Excellency's  most  enlightened  and 
benevolent  Sovereign  has  already  accorded  to  His  Hebrew  subjects,  by  the 
declaration  contained  in  the  document  with  which  your  Excellency  obligingly- 
furnished  me. 

"  Under  existing  circumstances,  deprived  as  they  are  of  the  means  adverted 
to  in  that  declaration,  of  turning  their  activity  to  useful  objects,  and  of 
establishing  their  prosperity  upon  a  safe  basis,  poverty,  distress,  and  the 
annihilation  of  all  hope  must  be  the  fate"  of  His  Imperial  Majesty's  most 
faithful  and  loyal  Hebrew  subjects,  and  indeed  they  appear  already  reduced 
to  the  lowest  depth  of  distress. 

"I  therefore  most  humbly  approach  His  Majesty's  philanthropic  Govern- 
ment with  my  fervent  prayer,  that  it  will  be  pleased  to  carry  out  without 
delay  the  good  and  humane  intentions  of  His  Most  Gracious  Majesty  the; 
Emperor,  manifested  in  his  decrees. 

"  With  respect  to  the  real  disposition  of  my  brethren,  I  feel  it  right  to  men- 
tion that  from  communications  which  I  held  with  the  Russian  authorities 
during  my  permitted  visit  to  the  Israelites  in  His  Majesty's  dominions,  I  have 
reason  to  think  that  my  co-reli«ionists  have  been  generally  exempt  from  the 
commission  of  capital  crimes,  and  that  even  in  regard  to  ordinary  morality 
and  the  greater  proportion  of  minor  offences,  their  conduct  is  of  a  very 
exemplary  kind.  I  sincerely  hope  that  this  statement  will  accord  with  the 
reports  in  the  possession  of  His  Majesty's  Government.  I  feel  confident  that 
His  Majesty's  Government  will  reflect  upon  another  pleasing  fact  of  which  I 
was  also  informed,  that  the  Israelites  have  never  been  connected  with  the 
formation  of  any  plot  or  scheme  against  those  in  authority,  but  on  the 
contrary  have  endeavoured  on  all  occasions  to  serve  their  country  with 
earnest  zeal,  and  with  most  unanimous  sacrifices  of  life  and  property.  As 
an  instance,  I  shall  only  mention  their  exertions  in  favour  of  the  Empire 
which  they  have  the  happiness  to  inhabit,  during  the  presence  of  the  French 
in  Russia,  in  the  year  1812,  and  more  particularly  in  the  revolt  of  the  year 
1830.  On  the  latter  occasion  the  Israelites  were  highly  gratified  by  a  pro- 
clamation, which  their  magnanimous  Monarch  caused  to  be  issued  in  his 
name,  by  the  Adjutant  General  Prince  Nikolai  Andrewitz  Dolgarukovv,  in 
which  His  Majesty  condescended  to  express  his  great  satisfaction  with  my 
brethren,  and,  moreover,  renewed  his  assurance  to  them  that  they  should  find 
in  Russia,  under  the  glorious  sceptre  of  their  exalted  Monarch,  a  fatherland 
and  security  of  their  property  and  privileges. 

"  I  am  happy  to  repeat  my  statement  to  your  Excellency  that  the  same 


Sir  Moses  Report  to  Count  Kisseleff,  373 

loyal  sentiments  towards  His  Majesty's  Government,  which  they  have  in- 
variably cherished,  still  animate  their  hearts,  and  that  they  embrace  with 
avidity  every  opportunity  to  accede  to  the  wishes  of  the  Government. 

"The  following  fact  will,  I  trust,  bear  me  out  in  my  assertion.  On  His 
Majesty's  desiring  that  the  Israelites  should  change  their  costume,  for  which, 
as  having  been  peculiar  to  themselves  and  their  ancestors,  they  had  a  natural 
predilection,  they  have  shown  their  obedience  to  this  desire,  though  this  was 
not  done  without  considerable  pecuniary  sacrifice  and  ruinous  loss  to  many 
whose  warehouses  were  well  provided  with  furs  and  silks. 

"  I  beg  to  assure  your  Excellency  they  are  ready  to  cultivate  the  land  ; 
they  are  prepared  to  undertake  any  work  however  laborious  ;  they  wish  to 
establish  manufactories  of  every  description  ;  they  are  desirous  to  cultivate 
their  minds  to  the  best  of  their  power  by  the  study  of  modern  scie'nce  and 
literature.  Be  assured  that  poverty,  restriction,  and  disproportioned  taxation 
have  alone  heretofore  prevented  them  from  effecting  these  objects.  But  it  is 
in  the  power  of  His  Majesty's  Government  to  raise  and  revive  them  all,  by 
simply  decreeing  the  removal  of  existing  impediments  to  their  full  enjoyment 
of  all  the  privileges  which  their  most  humane  and  paternal  Emperor  has 
granted  them. 

"  1  beg  to  assure  your  Excellency  that  I  well  know  how  to  appreciate  the 
great  confidence  which  His  Majesty's  Government  has  placed  in  me,  in 
granting  the  privilege  of  personally  witnessing  the  state  of  my  brethren  in 
Russia.  The  influence  which  I  flatter  myself  that  I  have  with  them,  I  have 
exercised  for  the  purpose  of  strengthening  them  in  their  continual  efforts  to 
meet  the  wishes  of  His  Majesty's  Government. 

"  With  your  Excellency's  kind  permission  I  shall  have  the  honour  from 
time  to  time  to  address  your  Excellency  on  the  important  matter  which 
forms  the  subject  of  my  present  communication,  and  to  which  His  Majesty's 
enlightened  Government  has  devoted  itself  with  so  much  zeal  and  humanity. 

"  I  shall  ever  gratefully  remember  the  kindness  and  attention  which  your 
Excellency  was  always  pleased  to  evince  towards  me  during  my  stay  in  the 
Imperial  city,  and  your  Excellency  will  give  me  leave  to  say  that  my  visit  to 
Russia  will  ever  be  remembered  with  heartfelt  gratitude  for  the  greatest 
condescension  and  humanity  of  the  most  illustrious  and  magnanimous 
Emperor  Nicholas,  from  whose  royal  lips  I  heard  that  I  should  have  the 
satisfaction  of  taking  with  me  his  assurances  and  the  assurances  of  his 
Ministers  that  he  was  desirous  to  improve  the  condition  of  my  co-religionists. 

"  In  most  fervent  prayers  1  unite  with  two  millions  of  His  Majesty's  faith- 
ful Hebrew  subjects,  supplicating  the  most  High  to  grant  long  life  and 
everlasting  glory  to  their  beneficent  Sovereign,  who  we  further  pray  may 
behold  the  fruition  of  his  desire  to  ensure  the  happiness  of  every  class  in  his 
dominions,  and  thus  reap  the  sincerest  gratitude  of  every  humane  and 
philanthropic  heart. 

"  It  may  be  proper  to  observe  that,  mindful  of  the  condescension  and  con- 
fidence reposed  in  me  by  His  Imperial  Majesty,  I  consider  this  report, 
together  with  the  two  reports  by  which  it  is  accompanied,  a  private  and 
confidential  communication. 

"  In  conclusion,  I  entreat  your  Excellency's  indulgence  to  pardon  the 
length  at  which  I  have  ventured  to  intrude  on  your  Excellency's  attention, 
and  with  leelings  of  the  most  profound  respect,  I  have  the  honour  to  be 
your  Excellency's  most  laithtul  and  devoted  humble  servant, 

(Signed)        "  MOSES  MONTEFIORE." 


CHAPTER  XLV. 
1846. 

REPORT  TO  COUNT  OUVAROFF  ON  THE  STATE  OF  EDUCATION 
AMONG  THE  JEWS  IN  RUSSIA  AND  POLAND— VINDICATION 
OF  THE  LOYALTY  OF  THE  JEWS. 

'  I  AHE  report  to  Count  Ouvaroff,  Minister  of  Public  Instruction 
-L       at  St  Petersburg,  was  as  follows  : — 

"To  His  EXCELLENCY,  LE  COMTE  OUVAROFF,  Ministre  de  1'Instruction 
publique  de  sa  Majest£  1'Empereur  de  Russie,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 

"May  it  please  your  Excellency, — The  zealous  and  untiring  energy  which 
your  Excellency  evinces  in  continual  efforts  to  promote  education,  and  to 
diffuse  amongst  all  classes  of  His  Imperial  Majesty's  subjects  that  important 
felessing,  Knowledge,  will,  I  feel  assured,  induce  you  to  pardon  me  if  I 
venture  to  lay  before  your  Excellency  such  observations  on  the  present  con- 
dition of  my  brethren  in  Russia,  with  respect  to  their  educational  establish- 
ments, as  by  your  Excellency's  favour  I  have  been  enabled  to  make. 

"  Previously  to  my  doing  so,  I  beg  leave  to  present  my  warmest  acknow- 
ledgments for  the  very  kind  and  condescending  manner  in  which  your 
Excellency  was  pleased  to  convey  to  me  the  sentiments  of  His  Imperial 
Majesty's  Government.  I  shall  ever  remember  with  gratitude  the  assurances 
your  Excellency  gave  me,  that  the  Russian  Government  was  anxious  to  pro- 
mote only  such  education  as  is  based  upon  pure  religion  ;  that  it  did  not 
entertain  sentiments  inimical  to  the  Jewish  faith  ;  that  on  the  contrary  the 
Government  was  anxious  to  institute  with  respect  to  the  Israelites  such 
measures  as  would  tend  to  prove  to  them  the  paternal  kindness  of  His 
Majesty  ;  and  that  for  this  reason  the  Government  had  called  together  a 
Committee  of  Chief  Rabbis,  eminent  for  their  piety,  in  order  to  gain  the 
perfect  confidence  of  all  their  brethren. 

"  These  assurances  enabled  me  with  pleasure  to  undertake  the  task,  the 
result  of  which  I  now  have  the  honour  to  submit  to  your  Excellency,  feeling 
convinced  that  your  Excellency's  noble  and  enlightened  sentiments  will 
induce  you  to  give  a  due  consideration  to  a  subject  of  such  infinite 
importance. 

"It  must  be  to  your  Excellency  a  source  of  the  highest  gratification  to- 
hear  that  His  Imperial  Majesty's  Hebrew  subjects  are  far  from  depreciating 
the  advantages  which  the  human  mind  in  general  derives  from  education. 
Wherever  and  whenever  I  had  an  opportunity  of  addressing  them  on  that 
subject,  they  assured  me  that  they  were  ever  ready  most  zealously  to  assist  in- 
the  promotion  of  their  mental  and  social  improvement,  and  they  joyfully 
hailed  every  opportunity  presented  to  them  of  enriching  their  minds  by  pure 
and  wholesome  knowledge.  '  An  Israelite,'  they  said,  '  cannot  underrate  the 
value  of  knowledge.  Every  page  in  our  history  proves  the  reverse.  Our 


Sir  Moses  Report  to  Count  Ouva.ro ff.  375 

ancestors,  from  the  earliest  period  of  that  history,  have  been  remarkable  for 
their  zeal  to  uphold  science  and  literature  as  the  greatest  and  holiest  acquisi- 
tions. We  refer  the  enquirer  to  the  works  of  Bai  tholocci,  Wolf,  De  Rossi, 
Rodriguez  de  Castro,  by  which  it  will  be  at  once  ascertained  that  Israelites 
have  always  kept  pace  in  useful  learning  with  their  neighbours,  and  that  all 
circumstances  considered,  they  possess  in  most  instances  fully  as  much 
general  knowledge  as  falls  to  the  share  of  their  non-Israelite  fellow-subjects 
in  a  corresponding  grade  of  society.'  And  in  corroboration  of  this  statement, 
I  beg  to  inform  your  Excellency  that  many  of  the  Israelites  in  His  Imperial 
Majesty's  dominions  have  distinguished  themselves  by  their  writings  in 
Hebrew  theology  and  literature,  and  that  their  works  are  very  highly  appre- 
ciated by  the  learned  in  Germany.  '  To  improve  the  mind  and  promote 
every  kind  of  useful  and  sound  information  which  tends  to  elevate  a  man 
before  God  and  his  fellow-creatures,  they  deem  to  be  an  important  injunction 
of  the  sacred  law.'  I  therefore  had  no  difficulty  whatever  in  persuading 
them  of  the  good  intentions  which  His  Majesty's  Government  entertained 
with  respect  to  the  organisation  of  schools  for  their  benefit.  They  over 
whelmed  me  with  quotations  from  the  sacred  writings,  tending  to  show  that 
with  the  Israelite  it  is  an  imperative  duty  to  give  the  best  effect  to  such 
benevolence. 

"Their  notions  of  religion  in  general,  and  of  the  sacred  books  which 
treat  thereon,  are  not  less  correct,  and  I  had  opportunities  of  hearing  them 
frequently  elucidate  many  Scriptural  texts,  in  a  manner  which  proved  to  me 
that  they  were  possessed  with  the  true  spirit  of  their  religion,  and  that  they 
derive  from  the  perusal  of  the  Oral  Law  such  beneficial  instruction  as  must 
tend  to  make  them  faithful  to  their  God,  loyal  to  the  Government  of  the 
country  in  which  they  live,  and  good  men  to  all  their  fellow  creatures. 

"  Their  arguments  on  this  subject,  and  the  excellent  quotations  which 
they  advanced  in  support  of  them,  appeared  to  me  to  be  of  so  much  import- 
ance that  I  cannot  forbear  submitting  them  to  your  Excellency's  kind 
consideration,  bearing  particularly  in  mind  that  the  adherents  to  the  Oral 
Law,  as  the  sacred  and  only  authorized  commentary  to  the  holy  Scripture, 
have  been  represented  to  your  Excellency  in  a  light  certainly  not  calculated 
to  throw  much  lustre  on  Israel  at  large. 

"  The  Talmud  distinctly  forbids  us  appropriating  unlawfully  from  our 
neighbour,  whether  he  be  Israelite  or  n on- Israelite,  any  object  whatever, 
even  of  the  smallest  value.  ('  Khoshen  Mishpat,  Haldkhot  Ge'ne'bah,'  ch. 
ccclxxviii.,  sees,  i,  2.)  Every  kind  of  deception  is  interdicted  without  respect 
to  the  person  subject  thereto  being  Israelite  or  non- Israelite.  (Maimonides, 
'  Halakhot  De'ot,'  ch.  ii.,  sec.  6.)  'By  the  same  authority  we  are  bound  toact 
with  equal  fairness  in  the  sale  of  any  article,  be  the  purchaser  Israelite  or 
the  follower  of  any  other  faith.  ('Khoshen  Mishpat,'  ch.  ccxxvm.;  Mai- 
monides, '  Halakhot  Makhiva,'  ch.  xviii.,  sec.  i.)  That  every  temptation  to 
do  wrong  may  be  avoided,  an  Israelite  is  enjoined  not  to  keep  under  his 
roof  any  bad  coin,  unless  he  deface  it  so  that  it  cannot  be  used  as  current 
coin  in  dealing  with  any  person,  whatever  be  his  religious  faith.  (  Per°°sh 
Hamishnayot  teharambam  Tract  Kelim,'  ch.  xii.,  Mishna  7.)  The  prohibi- 
tion of  such  practices  is  understood  in  the  sacred  text  m  Deuteronomy,  ch. 
xxv.,  v.  1 6  :  '  For  all  that  do  such  things,  and  all  that  do  unrighteously,  are 
an  abomination  unto  the  Lord  thy  God.' 

"  Principles  like  these  must  surely  tend  to  create  good  teehng  between  all 
Israelites  and  their  neighbours  of  every  faith. 

"Sincere  attachment  and  perfect  obedience,  the  strictest  loyalty  we  are 
enjoined  to  evince  towards  the  Government  of  the  country  m  which  we  live, 
and    this  is  a  truth,  my  brethren  rightly  aver,  prominently  taught  i 
sacred  writings.     Therefore,  in  the  first  place,  we  look  upon  the  monarch, 


376       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montrfiorc. 

though  of  another  faith  and  nation,  as  the  anointed  of  the  Lord  (Isaiah  ch.  xlv., 
v.  i),  and  consider  his  Government  as  a  resplendence  of  the  heavenly 
Government  ('Tract  Berakhot,'  p.  58).  We  are  enjoined  to  fear  the  Eternal 
Being  and  the  King,  and  not  to  confederate  with  those  who  are  given  to 
change  (Proverbs  xxiv.,  v.  21).  The  prophets,  in  speaking  of  a  non-Israelite 
ruler,  say  :  '  Serve  the  King  of  Babylon,  and  ye  shall  live  ; '  and  they  also 
command  us  to  'seek  the  peace  of  the  city  whither  the  Almighty  has  caused 
us  to  be  carried  away  captives,  and  pray  unto  the  Lord  for  it'  (Jer.  xxix.,  v.  7). 
The  reverence  we  are  enjoined  to  testify  towards  our  earthly  sovereign  is 
further  shown  in  our  glorifying  the  Almighty  Power  for  conferring  a  simili- 
tude of  His  boundless  Majesty  upon  a  mortal.  We  are  enjoined  not  to  swear 
against  the  King  even  in  thought  (Kohjlit  ch.  x.,  v.  20;,  and  to  regard  the 
decrees  of  the  Monarch  as  inviolable  ('Tract  Baba  Kama,'  p.  112).  We  are 
distinctly  ordered  not  to  act  in  opposition  to  the  King's  laws  relating  to  the 
customs  and  excise,  even  though  the  Israelite  be  the  most  heavily  taxed 
('  Baba  Kama,'  112  ;'  Pesakhim,'  cxii.  p.  2  ;  Maimonides,  '  Hal£khot  Melak- 
him,'  ch.  iv.,  sec.  I  ;  '  Khoshen  Mishpat,'  ch.  ccclxix.,  sec.  6) ;  and  from  the 
same  authority  it  is  incumbent  on  us  to  show  the  same  veneration  to  those  who 
are  representatives  of  the  monarch  as  to  himself  ('  Tract  Shdbuot,'  xlvii.  p.  2). 

"The  high  esteem  in  which  the  Israelite  holds  every  human  being  who 
is  distinguished  by  moral  and  mental  qualities,  is  clearly  stated  in  Maimo- 
nides, '  HdMkhot  Shemita  Weydbel,'ch.  xiii.,  sec.  13,  and  of  this  the  most  strik- 
ing confirmation  is  found  in  the  words  of  our  Talmud  ('  Baba  Kama,'  xxxviii. 
p.  i),  where  we  are  told  that  a  Gentile  who  applies  himself  to  the  study  of 
the  sacred  law  is  to  be  held  in  equal  esteem  with  the  High  Priest,  which  is 
likewise  declared  in  the  book  '  Tana  debd  Eliyahoo/  in  the  beginning  of  the 
ninth  chapter. 

"  I  had  another  most  gratifying  instance  of  the  sound  and  clear  percep- 
tions which  they  have  of  the  pure  doctrines  of  our  religion  and  the  traditional 
commentary  to  the  sacred  Scripture,  in  the  sublime  elucidation  which  they 
gave  to  that  most  important  point  in  our  creed  which  refers  to  the 
Messiah. 

"  '  We  are  praying  for  a  time,'  said  they,  '  when  the  ideas  of  mankind  at 
large  are  to  be  noble  and  sublime  ;  for  a  time  when,  as  the  prophet  describes, 
Gentiles  will  come  to  the  light  of  Zion  and  kings  to  the  brightness  of  her 
rising  (Isaiah  lx.,  v.  3) ;  when  nations  will  fear  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  all 
the  kings  of  the  earth  His  glory  (Psalms  ch.  cii.,  v.  10  ;  Daniel  ch.  vii.,  v.  27). 

"Our  sentiments  are  more  distinctly  stated  by  the  immortal  Maimonides 
in  the  following  words  ('  Hdlakhot  Melnkhim,'  ch.  xii ,  sees.  4,  5) :  'The  wise 
men  and  the  prophets  did  not  desire  the  advent  of  the  Messiah,  that  they 
might  attain  the  power  of  any  terrestrial  government,  that  they  should  be 
elevated  in  worldly  rank  by  the  nations,  or  enjoy  every  terrestrial  comfort. 
No  !  this  was  not  the  object  of  their  fervent  prayer  ;  their  object  was,  in  that 
glorious  period,  to  be  enabled  to  devote  themselves  wholly  and  in  perfect 
freedom  to  the  study  of  the  holy  law  and  its  sacred  literature,  through  which 
they  might,  at  the  end  of  their  worldly  career,  attain  the  bliss  of  immortality. 
That  period  is  expected  to  be  full  of  peace  ;  no  war,  no  disturbance,  no 
hatred  ;  no  jealousy  between  men  will  then  exist  ;  happiness  will  be  the  lot 
of  every  creature,  and  the  whole  world  will  only  be  anxious  to  acquire  the 
knowledge  of  the  law.  Then  will  Israel  be  enlightened  by  the  Word  of  God, 
for  the  world  is  to  be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord,  even  as  the 
waters  cover  the  sea.' 

A  most  remarkable  feature  in  the  purity  of  that  particular  article  of  our 
creed  is,  that  whilst  the  prayer  for  the  Messiah  regards  the  wellare  of  the 
whole  ljuman  race,  it  also  strongly  inculcates  a  sentiment  that  no  kind  of 
coercive  measures  ought  to  be  used  by  any  person  for  the  purpose  of  hasten- 


Sir  Moses  Report  to  Coiint  Ouvaroff.  377 

ing  the  advent  of  that  blissful  period.  Our  Talmud  declares  that  the  Omni- 
potent enjoined  the  Israelites  not  to  press  events  to  bring  on  that  promised 
season  of  peace,  nor  ever  to  oppose  the  nations  ('Tract  Ketubot,'  1.  ex.  p.  i). 

"  Having  made  these  preliminary  remarks,  I  shail  now  proceed  to  describe 
to  your  Excellency  the  state  of  the  schools  which  I  visited  in  the  course  of 
my  journey  through  Russia  and  Poland. 

"  Being  anxious  to  convince  myself  of  the  real  condition  of  my  brethren, 
I  often  took  them  by  surprise,  and  I  am  happy  to  say,  although  they  had  not 
teachers  of  profane  sciences,  still  most  of  the  pupil's  in  some  schools  knew 
how  to  write  and  to  read  in  the  Russian,  Hebrew,  and  German  languages. 
In  Wilna  I  found  the  schools  organised  agreeably  to  the  command  of  His 
Imperial  Majesty's  Government ;  they  were  well  provided  with  competent 
masters,  and  the  pupils  answered  most  satisfactorily  questions  in  the  various 
branches  of  tuition  — in  Latin,  Russian,  and  German  grammars,  geography, 
arithmetic,  and  history. 

"In  Hebrew,  however,  they  could  only  obtain  instruction  during  three 
hours  each  week.  The  pupils  who  frequent  the  gymnasium  also  attended 
whilst  I  was  there  the  schools  thus  organised,  and  I  had  an  opportunity  of 
ascertaining  that  a  considerable  number  of  them  were  well  versed  in  various 
branches  of  science  and  secular  education.  The  girls'  schools  are  in  a  most 
flourishing  state,  and  your  Excellency  will  be  pleased  to  hear  that  the  pupils 
excel  in  the  knowledge  of  the  Russian,  Polish,  French,  Hebrew,  and  German 
languages,  in  addition  to  their  knowledge  of  geography,  Russian  history, 
and  arithmetic.  With  respect  to  the  Talmud  Tora  schools  (your  Excellency 
having  expressed  so  zealous  a  desire  to  advance  the  study  of  the  Hebrew 
language  and  its  literature),  I  feel  much  pleasure  in  assuring  your  ExcHlency 
that  I  examined  a  great  number  of  pupils,  and  their  knowledge  of  Hebrew 
was  surprising.  Sometimes  they  were  addressed  in  that  language,  and  they 
translated  it  into  German,  or  vice  versd  ;  on  various  occasions  they  continued 
to  recite  any  sacred  text  in  the  Bible  after  the  first  word  of  the  chapter  or 
verse  was  given  to  them.  At  Warsaw  also  I  found  the  schools  organised 
upon  the  principles  laid  down  by  His  Imperial  Majesty's  Government  in  a 
flourishing  state.  The  pupils  are  well  versed  in  the  Russian,  Polish,  French, 
Hebrew,  and  German  languages,  independently  of  their  knowledge  of  geo- 
graphy, history,  arithmetic,  and  composition.  I  was  equally  satisfied  in 
inspecting  the  girls'  school.  Like  those  at  Wilna,  these  schools  may  be  re- 
garded as  models,  for  they  are  upon  an  equality  with  similar  establishments 
in  my  own  country.  The  school  of  industry  I  also  found  to  be  a  most  excel- 
lent establishment,  which,  in  the  course  of  time,  will  confer  great  benefits 
upon  the  rising  generation.  With  respect  to  the  Talmud  Tora  schools,  in 
which  a  knowledge  of  Hebrew  language  and  its  literature  is  exclusively 
taught,  I  beg  leave  to  assert  that  there  is  not  any  school  in  the  most  distin- 
guished Hebrew  congregation  in  Europe  that  deserves  to  rank  higher  than 
those  established  in  Warsaw  and  Wilna.  Ot  the  various  Hebrew  schools 
which  I  visited  in  the  smaller  towns  on  my  route,  I  was  frequently  surprised 
in  a  most  agreeable  manner.  At  those  where  I  expected  it  the  least  the  pupils 
\vere  well  acquainted  with  the  Hebrew  language  and  its  literature,  and  on 
many  occasions  wrote  in  my  presence  various  sentences  in  the  Russian, 
Hebrew,  and  German  languages. 

"  I  particularly  inquired  the  reason  why  the  Talmud  Tora  schools  had  no 
professors  appointed  for  the  Russian  language  and  other  branches  of  secular 
science  and  literature,  this  deficiency  having  struck  me  the  more  after 
having  heard  such  powertul  arguments  in  favour  of  studying  these,  showing 
that  a  knowledge  01  worldly  science  and  literature,  when  combined  with  that 
ot  Hebrew  and  the  observance  ot  pure  religion,  was  well  adopted  to  improve 
an  Israelite.  The  answer  to  my  inquiiy  was,  that  they  had  not  the  means  to 


3/S       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

procure  such  professors  ;  that  to  have  a  master  of  that  description  would1 
have  given  them  the  highest  pleasure,  but  that  having  themselves  to  contend 
with  innumerable  difficulties  in  obtaining  the  ordinary  and  most  urgent 
necessaries  of  life,  they  deemed  it  their  first  duty  morally  and  religiously  to- 
procure,  with  the  limited  means  they  had,  such  instruction  for  their  children 
as  is  essential  for  the  enjoyment  of  their  religion,  leaving  other  kinds  of  learn- 
ing for  more  favourable  opportunities.  Of  their  real  feeling  on  this  head  the 
following  incident  is  an  ex.unple.  I  offered  the  means  of  procuring  masters 
for  the  Russian  language,  geography,  history,  writing,  and  arithmetic  in 
several  schools,  and  my  offer  was  most  eagerly  accepted,  and  the  following 
day  masters  were  engaged. 

"  With  respect  to  the  inclination  of  the  Israelites  to  frequent  public 
schools,  1  found  that  a  considerable  number  of  the  Jewish  youth  do  attend 
these  institutions,  and  many  more  would  do  so  were  it  not  that  a  most  diffi- 
cult question  arises  to  their  parents,  who  say,  'We  thoroughly  appreciate  the 
great  advantages  derivable  from  additional  acquirements,  but  what  is  to 
become  of  our  children  after  their  minds  shall  have  been  so  instructed  in  the 
higher  branches  of  knowledge  and  their  sensibilities  thereby  necessarily 
refined  ?  or  how  are  we  to  provide  them  with  proper  habiliments  and  books 
required  for  the  purpose  if  we  can  hardly  afford  to  satisfy  them  with  bread  ? 
Very  many  Israelites  are  also  much  afraid  that  the  mode  of  instruction  at 
some  public  schools,  and  at  some  established  for  the  Israelites  exclusively, 
may  induce  their  children  to  abjure  the  Jewish  faith,  which  of  course  is  dear 
to  Israelites,  and  which  they  are  ready  to  defend  with  their  lives.  For  thore 
are  schools  where  persons,  who  are  apostates  from  the  Hebrew  religion,  are 
allowed  to  instruct  the  pupils,  a  course  of  tuiyon  which  must  give  rise  to  the 
most  painful  anxiety  in  the  minds  of  those  by  whom  that  religion  is  still 
cherished. 

"  I  beg  leave  now  to  state,  with  the  most  profound  respect  for  your 
Excellency's  judgment  on  this  important  subject,  that  I  have  given  it  most 
serious  consideration,  and  knowing  from  ample  evidence  that  my  brethren  in 
the  Russian  empire  are  most  anxious  to  advance  their  mental  and  social  im- 
provement, I  humbly  submit  to  your  Excellency  that  they  are  in  a  fit  condi- 
tion for  receiving  the  benefits  which  their  most  benevolent  and  merciful 
monarch  intended  to  bestow  upon  them. 

"  My  humble  petition  to  your  Excellency  is,  that  by  your  humane  and 
kind  intercession  supplications  may  be  brought  effectually  before  His 
Imperial  Majesty's  Government. 

"  Those  supplications  I  will  thus  set  forth.  In  the  first  place,  that  they 
may  be  permitted  to  have  the  management  themselves  of  their  Hebrew  theo- 
logical schools.  This  is  essential  to  their  dearest  sympathies  and  interests, 
as  no  other  persons  could  promote  the  study  of  Hebrew  literature  more 
effectually.  In  all  regions  where  civilisation  has  made  any  marked  progress, 
wherever  its  blessings  are  really  experienced,  Hebrew  literature  is  regarded 
as  its  most  precious  feature,  and  all  nations  ardently  cultivate  its  study  and 
render  homage  to  its  worth.  May  it  therefore  please  the  Imperial  Govern- 
ment to  allow  the  Israelites  themselves,  the  people  by  whose  agency  this 
boon  has  been  given  to  mankind,  to  have  the  direction  of  those  establish- 
ments in  which  they  are  to  be  trained  in  the  true  knowledge  of  their  own 
inalienable  inheritance.  For  the  acquirement  of  knowledge  in  secular 
science  and  literature  they  should  also  have  the  appointment  of  their  own 
teachers,  such  whose  competency  may  be  approved  of  by  His  Majesty's 
Minister  of  Public  Instruction,  or  should  be  allowed  to  avail  themselves  of 
the  public  educational  establishments,  subject,  of  course,  to  such  periodical 
examinations  as  m:iy  be  deemed  necessary  to  test  the  progress  of  the  pupil. 

"  Secondly,  they  consider  it  a  just  regulation  that,  in  those  schools  which 


Sir  Moses  Report  to  Count  Ouvaroff.  379 

His  Majesty's  Government  has  originated  solely  for  their  benefit,  no  convert 
from  Judaism  be  appointed  a  teacher.  Particular  allusion  is  here  made  to 
the  Rabbinical  school  at  Warsaw,  where  a  person  who  was  tutor,  whilst 
belonging  to  that  faith,  continues  to  hold  that  situation  even  after  having 
abjured  it  and  embraced  another.  No  permanent  satisfaction  can  result 
from  such  an  anomaly,  which  will  surely  deter  sincere  Israelites  from  send- 
ing their  children  to  institutions  placed  in  similar  circumstances,  as  they  will 
naturally  suppose  that  His  Imperial  Majesty's  Government  encourages  con- 
version, but  which  I  am  assured,  by  a  statement  from  your  Excellency,  it 
does  not  desire.  Such  appointments  of  instructors  should  be  made  as  would 
remove  all  misconception  on  this  vitally  important  subject. 

"  Thirdly,  I  submit  to  your  Excellency  that  it  is  just  that  the  Ukase 
issued  on  the  24th  November  1836,  declaring  that  all  such  Hebrew  books 
as  are  pronounced  by  the  Chief  Rabbi  not  to  contain  inimicable  sentiments 
to  the  government  of  the  country,  be  permitted  to  remain  with  the  Israelites, 
do  continue  in  full  force,  because  unfortunately  during  the  last  eleven  months, 
the  Hebrew  libraries  of  private  individuals  have  been  in  the  hands  of  the 
police,  and  many  books  which  they  were  authorized  to  keep  by  the  Chief 
Rabbi,  having  thereon  his  seal  and  signature,  were  taken  away  from  them, 
and  even  those  books  on  which  the  Committee  of  Censors  would  find  nothing 
wrong,  are  still  kept  back  by  the  Committee.  May  it  therefore  please  your 
Excellency  to  order  that  the  books  be  returned  to  the  owners. 

"  Finally,  I  have  to  petition  your  Excellency  to  take  seriously  into  con- 
sideration all  that  I  have  here  advanced  on  my  suffering  brethren's  behalf. 
Your  Excellency,  I  am  aware,  entertains  the  most  philanthropic  views,  and 
when  your  Excellency  reflects  qn  the  earnest  desire  of  my  brethren  in  His 
Imperial  Majesty's  dominions  to  benefit  by  education  in  the  most  compre- 
hensive and  useful  sense  of  the  word,  and  the  restrictions  which  as  Israelites 
impede  a  beneficial  progress  therein,  I  am  sure  that  your  Excellency's 
enlightened  judgment  will  accord  them  your  powerful  advocacy  with  His 
Imperial  Majesty's  Government. 

"  Your  Excellency  may  indeed  believe  that  I  assert  as  my  solemn  con- 
viction, that  when  they  shall  fully  enjoy  those  privileges  and  opportunities- 
which  their  paternal  and  beneficent  Sovereign  has  designed  for  them,  the 
result  will  be  surprising  to  those  who  have  underrated  their  talents  and 
inclinations,  and  most  gratifying  to  all  who  like  your  Excellency  have  evinced 
a  sincere  desire  to  promote  their  welfare,  equally  with  that  of  the  other 
numerous  people  over  whom  His  Imperial  Majesty  reigns. — I  have  the 
honour  to  be,  with  the.  highest  consideration  and  the  most  profound  respect, 
your  Excellency's  most  faithful  servant. 

(Signed)          "  MOSES  MONTEFIORE." 


CHAPTER    XLVI. 

1846. 

.REPORT  TO  COUNT  KISSELEFF  ON  THE  STATE  OF  THE  JEWS 
IN  POLAND — PROTEST  AGAINST  THE  RESTRICTIONS  TO 
WHICH  THEY  WERE  SUBJECTED. 

THE  last  of  the  three  important  reports  made  by  Sir  Moses 
Montefiore  to  the  Ministers  of  the  Emperor  of  Russia  was 
to  Count  Kisseleff,  and  ran  as  follows  :— 

"To  His  EXCELLENCY  LE  COMTE  DE  KISSELEFF,  Ministre  du  domaine 
de  1'Empire  de  sa  Majestd  PEmpereur  de  Russie,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 

"May  it  please  your  Excellency, — My  first  and  principal  report  had 
reference,  as  your  Excellency  will  have  seen,  to  the  condition  and  wants  of 
my  brethren  in  Russia.  In  obedience,  however,  to  the  permission  which  His 
Majesty  the  Emperor  most  graciously  gave  me,  and  to  your  Excellency's 
most  benevolent  desire,  it  is  incumbent  on  me  to  make  some  remarks  (which 
for  the  sake  of  clearness  I  prefer  submitting  in  a  distinct  paper)  in  regard  to 
those  who  are  inhabitants  of  the  kingdom  of  Poland.  In  so  doing,  I  would 
humbly  beseech  His  Majesty  the  Emperor,  your  Excellency,  and  His 
Majesty's  Government  at  large,  so  far  as  it  may  be  made  acquainted  with 
the  subject,  to  receive  such  remarks,  and  any  requests  that  may  stand  con- 
nected with  them,  with  great  and  indulgent  consideration. 

"  Humble  as  is  my  position  in  life,  when  compared  with  the  most  exalted 
stations  of  the  high  persons  to  whom  1  venture  to  address  myself,  I  never- 
theless have  laid  upon  me  by  the  high  benevolence  itself  which  1  have 
experienced,  a  heavy  responsibility  to  Almighty  God,  to  His  Majesty  the 
Emperor  and  his  Government,  to  my  brethren,  and  I  believe  to  the  whole 
civilized  world. 

"  1  most  sincerely  believe  that  the  human  race  at  large  would  experience 
solid  and  lasting  benefit,  if  His  Majesty  would  deign  to  carry  out  fully  and 
completely  his  gracious  expressions  of  desire  for  the  welfare  of  his  Hebrew 
subjects.  With  these  views  I  would  most  humbly  and  earnestly  supplicate 
that  the  great  and  sublime  course  of  proceeding  already  commenced  by  His 
Majesty,  which  I  have  ventured  to  solicit  for  the  Israelites  in  Russia,  should 
be  extended  as  fully  to  those  of  my  brethren  who  are  resident  in  Poland.  I 
supplicate  the  powerful  Russian  Government  to  prove  to  the  whole  civilized 
world  that  the  amelioration  of  the  condition  of  the  Hebrew  race,  for  which 
it  is  so  graciously  desirous,  can  be  produced  with  completeness  and  effect, 
by  measures  that  would  appeal  to  the  gratitude  and  love  of  a  loyal  and 
•warm-hearted  people. 

"  Permit  me  in  the  first  place  to  direct  your  Excellency's  attention  to  two 
paragraphs,  the  fifth  and  seventh  of  the  Organization  Statute  of  Poland  pro- 


Sir  Moses'  Report  to  Count  Kisseleff.  38 1 

mulgated  in  the  year  1832,  and  which  are  immediately  connected  with  the 
subject  in  question. 

"Therein  His  Majesty  the  Emperor  and  King  of  Poland  declares  that 
'  the  difference  from  the  Christian  modes  of  worship  cannot  be  regarded  as 
a  cause  of  exclusion  to  any  person  whatever  from  the  rights  and  privileges 
granted  to  all  other  inhabitants  professing  the  Christian  religion. 

'  The  protection  of  the  law  equally  extends  to  all  the  inhabitants  of  the 
kingdom  without  any  distinction  of  rank  or  social  condition.' 

"With  the  profoundest  respect  I  will  now  proceed  to  lay  before  your 
Excellency  the  following  brief  enumeration  of  serious  restrictions  under 
which  my  brethren  in  Poland  are  weighed  down. 

"  1st.  Concerning  their  confined  habitations. 

"(a)  There  are  towns  in  Poland  in  which  Israelites  are  never  allowed  to 
reside. 

"  (b)  In  these  towns  or  marts  where  they  have  permission  to  live  it  ex- 
tends only  to  a  few  streets. 

"(<:)  From  every  habitation  situated  near  the  high  roads  they  are  entirely 
excluded. 

"  (d)  They  are  prohibited  from  settling  within  three  geographical  miles 
of  the  frontier,  which,  in  a  country  of  the  dimensions  of  Poland,  excludes 
them  from  a  considerable  tract  of  territory. 

"2nd.  Regarding  mechanics  (trade). 

"  (a)  An  Israelite  following  any  trade  or  mechanical  operation  is  not 
allowed  to  keep  apprentices,  neither  can  he  declare  such  as  journeymen. 
This  naturally  involves  the  Hebrew  mechanic  in  innumerable  difficulties,  for 
he  is  entirely  dependent  upon  his  own  personal  exertions,  and  can  never 
avail  himself  of  the  assistance  of  his  fellow-mechanics. 

"  (b]  He  is  prohibited  from  working  with  a  Christian  master,  and  in  con- 
sequence of  his  not  being  acknowledged  as  a  master  among  the  corporations, 
he  is  always  considered  as  a  person  who  injures  the  trade. 

"  yd.  With  respect  to  agriculture,  crown  lands,  or  ecclesiastical  property. 

"The  Israelite  is  prohibited  from  taking  on  lease,  nor  is  he  ever  allowed 
to  be  the  proprietor  of  any  lands,  however  small  in  extent ;  for  even  the 
property  of  private  individuals  he  can  only  rent  by  paying  heavy  taxes  for 
the  patent,  and  then  even  is  not  allowed  to  employ  Christian  assistants. 

"  4th.  Additional  taxes. 

"(a)  An  Israelite  has  to  pay  a  tax  of  three  kopecs,  besides  the  usual  taxr 
upon  each  pound  of  beef  or  veal  lawfully  prepared  for  his  use  ;  fifteen  kopecs 
silver  for  a  turkey,  five  kopecs  silver  for  a  fowl,  eight  kopecs  silver  for  a 
duck,  and  nine  kopecs  silver  for  a  goose. 

"(£)  A  Hebrew  labourer  living  in  the  vicinity  of  Warsaw  cannot  enjoy 
the  advantage  of  bringing  his  goods  or  the  produce  of  his  land  into  the 
capital,  there  being  a  law  that  every  Israelite  from  the  provinces  who  comes 
to  town  should  pay,  daily,  ten  silver  kopecs  for  permission  to  stay,  and  seven 
and  a-half  silver  kopecs  for  the  duty  on  the  stamp. 

"(c)  An  Israelite  dealing  in  spirituous  liquors  lies  exclusively  under  taxes 
for  such  a  privilege.  Thus  an  individual  having  a  brewhouse  and  brandy 
distillery  has  to  pay  25  dollars  to  the  City  Exchequer,  66|  dollars  to  the 
finances  of  the  State,  66|  for  the  distillery,  66£  for  the  brewery,  amounting 
to  291!  dollars  annually  ;  and  although  he  pays  for  such  a  privilege  dearly, 
he  cannot  bequeath  it  to  his  child,  for  only  those  are  allowed  to  enjoy  it  who 
obtained  permission  in  the  year  1809. 

"  %th.  Other  restrictions. 

"  (a)  An  Israelite  is  not  allowed  to  appear  as  a  witness  in  a  case  of  law- 
suit against  a  Christian,  for  his  evidence  is  not  considered  valid.  The  great 
injury  he  must  sustain  from  such  a  law  or  practice  is  incalculable. 


382       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

"  (/')  As  soldiers,  although  they  may  distinguish  themselves  in  the  army 
or  navy,  they  are  not  permitted  to  rise  in  rank.  The  mode  of  enrolling  re- 
cruits is  also  most  painful ;  for,  notwithstanding  a  distinct  decree  having 
been  issued  by  His  Majesty's  Government  in  the  year  1843,  that  recruits 
should  be  given  up  to  the  authorities  by  the  community,  without  the  inter- 
ference of  any  officer,  still  great  wrongs  are  committed  by  some  of  the  petty 
officers,  which  cause  the  ruin  of  numerous  families. 

"  (c)  They  have  not  the  advantage,  like  other  subjects  of  His  Majesty,  of 
renting  the  local  revenues  derived  from  the  sale  of  spirits.  Not,  however, 
that  I  would  consider  this  restriction  a  hardship,  excepting  so  far  as  it  is  a 
distinctive  mark  upon  the  Israelites  in  Poland. 

"(rt)  They  are  excluded  from  the  great  advantages  derivable  from  the 
acquirement  of  science  and  literature,  by  being  prohibited  from  following  the 
professions  of  chemists,  architects,  lawyers,  and  several  other  similar 
avocations. 

"  Like  their  brethren  in  Russia,  the  Israelites  of  Poland  are  accused  of 
great  aversion  to  every  kind  of  manual  labour,  preferring  to  gain  a  livelihood 
by  devotion  to  petty  commerce.  It  is  alleged  also,  that  they  are  disinclined 
to  agriculture,  avoid  every  mechanical  pursuit,  and  defraud  the  Government 
of  the  excise  and  customs ;  that  they  distinguish  themselves  from  the  rest 
of  the  inhabitants  by  their  particular  costume  ;  and  finally,  that  the  precepts 
of  their  religion,  to  which  they  most  scrupulously  adhere,  are  of  antisocial 
tendency. 

"  I  entreat  your  Excellency's  kind  consideration  of  the  few  observations 
which  I  deem  it  essential  to  offer,  in  reference  to  the  foregoing  imputations. 
The  statistical  accounts  of  Poland  shew  that,  in  proportion  to  the  number  of 
Hebrew  inhabitants,  there  are  more  mechanics  amongst  them  than  amongst 
any  other  class  of  His  Majesty's  Polish  subjects  ;  they  devote  themselves  to 
the  most  laborious  occupations,  and  it  may  be  easily  ascertained  that  there  is 
not  only  a  great  number  of  Hebrew  brickmakers,  blacksmiths,  paviors,  and 
carpenters,  but  there  may  be  found  two  thousand  Israelites  who  break  stones 
on  the  chaussees.  As  a  most  striking  instance,  I  shall  name  to  your 
Excellency  a  small  town  of  the  name  of  Kalnary,  where  there  exist  no  less 
than  486  families  following  mechanical  pursuits,  amongst  a  Hebrew  popula- 
tion of  1500  families,  as  I  believe  may  be  proved  by  the  official  accounts  of  the 
police. 

"  Your  Excellency,  I  am  confident,  will  be  of  opinion  that  it  may  be  justly 
inferred,  if,  under  the  restrictions  against  which  the  Hebrew  mechanic  has 
daily  to  contend,  he  still  perseveres  in  his  pursuits  with  honesty,  and  remains 
spotless  in  his  character,  this  class  of  persons  would  be  greatly  augmented  if 
all  those  obstacles  were  to  be  removed  which  now  press  so  heavily  on 
industrial  exertion. 

"  With  respect  to  agriculture,  permit  me  to  mention  that  in  the  year  1823, 
when  the  decree  was  issued,  under  his  late  Majesty,  the  Emperor  Alexander 
of  blessed  memory,  that  the  Polish  Jews  should  cultivate  the  land,  though 
they  were  denied  the  privilege  of  becoming  proprietors,  and  though  they  had 
to  contend  with  various  other  restrictions  connected  with  agriculture,  under 
the  hand  of  an  Israelite,  to  which  I  have  already  alluded  in  the  preceding 
pages,  nevertheless  a  considerable  number  of  them  offered  themselves  to 
cultivate  the  land,  but,  unfortunately,  could  not  succeed  in  their  applications. 
The  local  authorities  always  replied  to  the  petitioners  that  the  land  in  ques- 
tion was  not  qualified  for  them  as  Israelites,  that  they  should  look  out  for 
some  other  piece  of  ground  which  the  Government  could  dispose  of  to  them. 
In  consequence  of  these  answers,  the  applicants  petitioned  fora  list  of  all  the 
land  which  might  be  accessible  to  Israelites,  yet  I  regret  to  say  that  twenty- 
three  years  have  since  passed  without  any  reply  having  been  given  to  this 


Sir  Moses  Report  to  Count  Kisscleff.  383 

humble  request.  Thus  circumstanced,  they  petitioned  to  the  effect  that 
the  wealthier  classes  amongst  them  might  be  permitted  to  purchase  land  from 
private  individuals,  either  to  cultivate  the  same  in  person,  or  to  let  it  out  in 
small  portions  to  the  poor,  yet  under  the  condition  that  the  space  of  land 
should  not  extend  to  more  than  would  be  sufficient  for  five  or  ten  farmers  to 
-cultivate.  Moreover,  the  proposed  purchasers  declared  their  willingness  to 
relinquish  any  right  and  privilege  any  other  (non-Israelite)  proprietor  of  land 
might  be  entitled  to.  They  went  still  further,  for  in  their  anxious  desire  to 
secure  the  honest  object  of  their  petition,  they  offered  the  forfeiture  of  the 
land  in  case  any  of  the  parties  connected  with  its  agriculture  were  to  be  found 
withdrawing  from  personally  cultivating  it,  or  were  to  be  proved  guilty  of 
calling  in  Christian  peasants,  however  few,  for  the  assistance  of  the  new 
agriculturists. 

"  I  have  no  doubt  that,  equally  with  their  Russian  brethren,  the  Israelites 
of  Poland  are  most  desirous  to  adopt  agricultural  pursuits. 

"  It  has  been  charged  against  the  Israelites  of  Poland,  that  they  do  not 
render  any  personal  service  to  the  country  in  which  they  live.  This  charge 
might  not  have  been  without  foundation  eighteen  or  twenty  years  ago,  when 
they  paid  an  annual  tribute  of  many  hundred  thousand  dollars  for  the  privilege 
of  being  exempted  from  personal  military  service,  but  not  so  at  present,  for 
many  thousand  Israelites  have  evinced  their  devotion  to  the  cause  of  their 
native  land,  by  sacrificing  their  lives  on  numerous  occasions,  and  their 
services  in  the  army  and  in  the  navy  have  already  been  appreciated  by  their 
exalted  Monarch  himself. 

"With  respect  to  the  peculiar  costume  which  most  of  the  Israelites  have 
been  accustomed  to  wear  for  many  centuries,  from  what  I  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing  I  can  assure  your  Excellency  that  most  of  them  have  already 
adopted  the  European  habit,  and  I  have  not  the  least  doubt  that,  in  the 
course  of  time,  the  ancient  dress  will  have  entirely  disappeared.  It  is  errone 
ous  to  suppose  that  the  ancient  costume  is  enjoined  by,  or  has  any  foundation 
in  religion.  Such  is  not  the  fact.  It  originated  from  a  decree  of  the 
Government  in  existence  three  hundred  years  ago,  when  the  Israelites 
were  commanded  under  a  most  severe  punishment  to  assume  this  garb 
to  distinguish  them  as  members  of  the  Jewish  faith.  The  truth  of  this 
statement  may  be  ascertained  by  referring  to  'Vol.  Leg.  Polon.  Sub. 
Anno  1538,'  Vol.  I.  p.  254. 

"  Having  now,  as  I  trust  to  the  satisfaction  of  your  Excellency,  refuted 
all  the  arguments  which  have  hitherto  been  held  of  sufficient  moment  to 
deprive  many  hundred  thousands  of  Israelites  of  the  rights  and  privileges' 
which,  as  faithful  subjects,  they,  in  accordance  with  His  Imperial  Majesty's 
humane  intention,  ought  to  enjoy,  I  most  humbly  implore  His  Majesty's 
Government  in  its  great  wisdom  to  remove  from  His  Majesty's  Hebrew 
subjects  all  restrictions  which  may  prove  obstacles  to  their  honest  pursuits 
in  life,  and  in  particular  those  restrictions  which  I  have  previously  alluded 
to,  and  which  I  have  endeavoured  to  classify. 

"  Possibly  your  Excellency,  though  animated  with  the  noblest  feelings  of 
humanity,  may,  in  the  fulfilment  of  the  duty  your  high  position  imposes,  deem 
it  necessary  to  call  my  attention  to  the  existence  of  certain  restrictions  which, 
on  account  of  the  pecuniary  advantages  the  State  derives  from  them,  cannot 
easily  be  removed  ;  such,  for  instance,  as  the  meat  tax,  which  annually 
amounts  to  300,000  silver  roubles.  But  in  answer  to  this,  permit  me  to 
observe  that  in  conformity  to  His  Majesty's  most  gracious  decree  issued  in 
the  year  1817,  the  Israelites  were,  on  entering  the  army  or  navy,  to  be  free 
from  paying  the  exemption  money,  and  in  addition  to  this  were  to  enjoy 
the  same  privileges  in  every  respect  as  all  the  other  inhabitants  of  the 
•country. 


3^4       Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

"  The  Israelites  are  now  acting  to  the  very  letter  of  the  Imperial  Ukase, 
for  they  serve  personally  in  the  army  and  navy,  and  are  acknowledged  to  be 
good,  brave,  and  faithful.  I  submit,  therefore,  that  they  are  now  entitled  to 
the  same  privileges  as  are  granted  to  all  other  inhabitants,  and  as  a  matter 
of  course,  to  be  free  from  the  payment  of  exemption  money.  Considerations 
of  economy  will  not,  I  feel  persuaded,  be  permitted  to  overrule  the  justand 
humane  intentions  of  His  Imperial  Majesty. 

"  I  entreat  your  Excellency  distinctly  to  understand  that  I  have  not 
written  with  this  comparative  brevity  on  the  subject  of  the  Israelites  in 
Poland,  because  I  think  their  position  less  deserving  the  attention  of  the  Im- 
perial Government  than  that  of  the  Russian  brethren.  On  the  contrary,  in 
Poland  affliction  and  degradation  are  the  more  severe  ;  and  what  stronger 
fact  can  be  offered  in  support  of  the  urgency  of  the  claim  of  the  Israelites  of 
the  last  named  country  on  the  justice  and  humanity  of  His  Imperial  Majesty 
than  this,  that  these  persons  constitute  one  fourth  of  the  whole  population. 

"  I  have  written  less  fully  concerning  my  Polish  brethren,  only  because  I 
am  most  unwilling  to  trespass  more  than  my  absolute  duty  requires  upon 
the  gracious  consideration  which  I  supplicate  ;  and  I  would  further  observe, 
that  my  report  as  to  my  brethren  in  Russia  has  been  drawn  up  with  the 
intention  that  those  who  are  resident  in  Poland  should  be  included  in  its 
general  arguments. 

"  It  would*  be  to  me  a  source  of  the  deepest  regret,  if  from  any  observa- 
tions made  in  this  or  the  preceding  letter  the  impressions  were  produced  on 
the  mind  of  His  Majesty  that  I  had  responded  to  his  most  gracious  conduct 
towards  me  by  a  tone  of  unsuitable  complaint  in  regard  to  the  state  of  my 
brethren.  Such  a  course,  I  earnestly  assure  your  Excellency,  I  have  been  most 
desirous  to  avoid.  I  have  given  the  most  anxious  care  to  the  investigation 
of  the  facts  to  which  I  have  adverted,  and  I  have  made  no  representation  of 
the  truth  of  which  I  have  not  received  very  strong  evidence. 

"  I  have  endeavoured  to  elucidate  the  causes  which  tend  to  produce  the 
evils  to  which  I  have  directed  the  attention  of  your  Excellency,  and  if  I  have 
commented  on  them  with  frankness,  I  trust  it  will  be  conceded  that  this  was 
my  duty,  and  that  in  so  doing  I  have'best  fulfilled  the  wishes  of  His  Imperial 
Majesty,  who,  by  experience,  I  know  to  be  as  condescending  as  he  is 
powerful. 

"  I  therefore  call  upon  the  unbounded  justice  of  His  Majesty's  Govern- 
ment ;  I  pray,  in  the  name  of  suffering  humanity,  to  that  most  exalted  and 
mighty  Monarch,  whose  noble  heart  is  filled  with  love  and  deep  affection 
towards  his  faithful  subjects,  to  consider  the  case  of  my  brethren,  and  show 
mercy  to  the  many  hundred  thousands  of  them  who  daily  send  up  to  the 
Eternal  Ruler  of  myriads  of  worlds  their  most  devout  and  fervent  prayers  to 
prolong  the  glorious  life  of  His  Majesty,  their  Emperor  and  King.  I  feel 
myself  in  sacred  duty  bound  to  impress  upon  your  Excellency's  noble  mind 
that  the  benign  words  1  had  the  honour  of  hearing  from  your  illustrious  per- 
son, to  promote  the  welfare  of  Israel,  was  one  of  the  principal  causes  which 
emboldened  me  to  lay  the  case  of  my  brethren  so  close  at  your  heart.  I 
therefore  entreat  your  Excellency's  powerful  influence  with  His  Majesty's 
Government  on  behalf  of  those  who  look  up  for  help  with  the  greatest  anxiety 
to  their  benevolent  and  magnanimous  Sovereign. 

'•  Everlasting  blessings  will  be  showered  down  from  Him  in  whose  hand 
the  welfare  of  every  creature  lies  upon  the  exalted  throne  of  His  Imperial 
Majesty.  Generation  to  generation  will  proclaim  his  glory  and  righteous- 
ness ;  every  mouth  will  sing  praise  to  the  Lord,  and  every  heart  will  bear 
gratitude  for  being  permitted  to  live  under  the  benign  rays  of  the  merciful 
s:eptre  of  Russia. — I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  highest  consideration 
and  the  most  profound  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  faithful  servant, 

(Signed)  "  MOSES  MONTEFIORE." 


CHAPTER    XLVII. 

1847. 

THE  CZAR'S  REPLY  TO  SIR  MOSES'  REPRESENTATIONS— COUNT 
OUVAROFF'S  VIEWS— SIR  MOSES  AGAIN  WRITES  TO  COUNT 
KISSELEFF— SIR  MOSES  IS  CREATED  A  BARONET. 

/TPHE  reports  given  in  the  foregoing  chapters  were  forwarded 
JL  to  Lord  Bloomfield,  the  British  Ambassador  at  St  Peters- 
burg, who  in  letter  dated  January  3rd,  1847,  informed  Sir  Moses 
that  he  had  forwarded  them  to  their  respective  addresses. 
Lord  Bloomfield,  having  read  the  reports,  adds :  "  I  need 
scarcely  assure  you  that  I  have  perused  them  with  great 
interest,  and  have  gleaned  much  useful  information  from  this 
result  of  your  labours." 

Count    Kisseleff    prefaces   his   reply   to   Sir    Moses,   dated 
November  $th,  1847,  with  the  following  words  : — 

"  MONSIEUR, — J'ai  en  1'honneur  de  recevoir  les  deux  memoires  que  vous 
avez  bien  voulu  m'adresser  en  date  du  10  Novembre  dernier  (1846)  sur  la 
situation  des  Israelites  de  PEmpire  et  du  Royaume  de  Pologne.  L'une  et 
1'autre  de  ces  pieces  ont  e"t£  placees  sous  les  yeux  de  1'Empereur,  et  Sa 
Maje'ste'  Imperiale,  appre"ciant  les  sentimens  de  philantropie  qui  les  ont 
dicte'es,  a  daignd  a  cette  occasion  exprimer  une  fois  de  plus  tout  1'inte'ret 
qu'  Elle  porte  a  Ses  sujets  Israelites,  dont  le  bien-etre  et  1'avancement  moral 
ne  cesseront  d'etre  1'ohjet  de  sa  constante  sollicitude. 

"Vos  deux  mdmoires  seront  porte"s,  par  ordre  de  1'Empereur,  a  la  con- 
naissance  du  Comite^  et  serviront  a  appeler  son  attention  sur  difi'e'rens  details. 
Cette  disposition  vous  prouvera,  combien  Sa  Maje"ste  Imp6iale  s'est  plue 
a  rendre  justice  aux  intentions  qui  ont  dict£  votre  travail  e!  i  1'esprit  dans. 
lequel  il  est  con$u. 

''  Agreez,  Monsieur,  1'assurance  de  ma  consideration  diatingude, 

"  LE  CTE.  DE  KISSELEFF." 

(Translation^} 

"SlR, — I  have  had  the  honour  to  receive  the  two  memorials  which  you 
addressed  to  me  on  the  loth  of  November  last  (1846)  respecting  the  situa- 
tion of  the  Israelites  in  the  Empire  and  in  the  Kingdom  of  Poland. 

"Both  documents  have  been  placed  before  the  Emperor,  and  His 
Imperial  Majesty,  appreciating  the  feelings  of  humanity  which  have  dictated 
them,  has  been  pleased  to  express  once  more  the  interest  which  he  takes  in 

I.  2  B 


386      Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

his  Israelite  subjects,  whose  welfare  and  moral  advancement  will  not  cease 
to  be  the  object  of  his  constant  solicitude. 

"  Your  two  memorials  will  be  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  Com- 
mittee, by  order  of  the  Emperor,  and  they  will  serve  to  direct  its  attention  to 
various  details.  This  proceeding  will  show  you  how  much  His  Imperial 
Majesty  has  been  pleased  to  do  justice  to  the  intentions  which  have  dictated 
your  labour,  and  to  the  spirit  in  which  it  has  been  conceived. —  I  have  the 
honour  to  be,  &c.,  "  COUNT  KISSELEFF." 

Count  Ouvaroff,  the  Minister  of  Public  Instruction,  acknow- 
edged  the  receipt  of  the  report  addressed  to  him  as  follows : — 

"  MONSIEUR,—  J'ai  regu  la  lettre  que  vous  m'avez  fait  1'honneur  de 
m'adresser  en  date  du  10  Novembre  1846.  Vos  observations,  sur  I'dtat,  de 
nos  e"coles  Israelites,  m'ont  vivement  inte'resse',  et  je  vous  sais  gre  de  les 
juger  favorablement,  car  ce  ne  sont  que  les  premiers  commencements,  d'une 
ere  nouvelle  dans  1'^ducation  de  vos  correligionaires  en  Russie.  II  est 
cependant  permis  d'espdrer  que  1'organisation  des  fonds,  spdcialement 
destines  a  cet  effet,  nous  applanira  la  voie  des  ameliorations  desirdes. 

"  Quant  a  votre  sollicitude  sur  I'eMucation  rdligieuse  des  Israelites,  vous 
connaissez,  Monsieur,  mes  sentiments  a  cet  egard  et  vous  avez  pu  apprecier 
vous-meme  le  soin,  avec  lequel  on  e*vite  dans  nos  reglements  scolaires  tout 
ce  qui  pourvait  choquer,  leurs  moeurs  on  exciter  leur  susceptibility  religieuse. 

"Agrdez,  Monsieur,  i'assurance  de  ma  consideration  distinguee. 

"  LE  CTE.  OUVAROFF." 

"  ST  PETERSBOURG, 

"  ce  26  Fevrier          n 
« 10  Mars      l847' 

(Translation.} 

"  SIR, — I  have  received  the  letter  which  you  did  me  the  honour  to  address 
to  me  under  date  of  November  loth,  1846. 

"  Your  observations  on  the  state  of  our  Israelite  schools  have  greatly 
interested  me,  and  I  thank  you  for  expressing  a  favourable  opinion  of  them, 
as  they  are  only  the  first  beginning  of  a  new  era  in  the  education  of  your 
co-religionists  in  Russia.  But  we  may  be  permitted  to  hope  that  the  organ- 
isation of  the  funds  specially  intended  for  this  purpose  will  smooth  the  way 
to  the  desired  improvements. 

"  With  regard  to  your  solicitude  about  the  religious  education  of  the 
Israelites,  you  know  my  feeling  with  regard  to  this  matter,  and  you  were 
able  to  judge  for  yourself  of  the  care  we  take  to  avoid  in  our  school  regula- 
tion all  that  could  give  offence  to  their  observances  or  awaken  their  religious 
susceptibilities."  (Signed)  "  COUNT  OUVAROFF." 

Sir  Moses,  with  a  view  of  both  conveying  his  gratitude  to 
the  Ministers  for  their  very  courteous  communications  and  of 
making  an  additional  effort  to  impress  on  their  minds  the  object 
of  his  visit  to  Russia,  addressed  each  of  them  again  in  a  special 
letter.  To  Count  Kisseleff  he  wrote  (1848)  :— 

"  May  it  please  your  Excellency, — I  have  had  the  honour  to  receive, 
through  the  kindness  of  Baron  Brunnow,  your  Excellency's  esteemed  favour 


Letter  to  Count  Kisscleff.  387 

of  the    5th   November  last,  the  contents  of  which  were  highly  gratifying 
to  me. 

"  I  was  delighted  to  learn  that  the  reports  (in  which,  by  His  Imperial 
Majesty's  gracious  permission,  I  was  enabled  to  represent  the  condition  of 
the  Russian  and  Polish  subjects  of  His  Imperial  Majesty  professing  the 
Jewish  faith)  had  come  under  the  personal  notice  of  the  Emperor,  that  on 
that  occasion  His  Imperial  Majesty  was  pleased  to  reiterate  his  anxious 
desire  to  promote  the  welfare  of  his  Jewish  subjects,  and  that  by  His 
Imperial  Majesty's  directions,  these  .reports  would  be  submitted  to  the  con- 
sideration of  the  Committee  specially  appointed  to  investigate  the  state  of  the 
Jews  in  the  vast  Empire  of  His  Imperial  Majesty,  so  that  the  attention  of 
the  Committee  might  be  called  to  the  several  details  contained  in  such  reports. 
These  evidences  of  His  Imperial  Majesty's  paternal  solicitude  have  made  a 
deep  impression  on  my  heart,  and  cannot  fail  to  be  gratefully  appreciated  by 
every  friend  of  humanity. 

"  The  sentiments  which  your  Excellency  has  been  pleased  to  express  in 
the  name  of  the  Emperor,  fully  confirm  the  high  opinion  of  His  Majesty's 
exalted  principles,  entertained  by  myself  in  common  with  all  who  have  had 
the  good  fortune  to  visit  the  numerous  nations  living  under  His  Majesty's 
benignant  sway. 

"  I  notice  with  sincerest  satisfaction  that  the  honourable  committee  in 
question  have  at  present  under  consideration  a  measure  to  facilitate  the 
presence  of  my  co-religionists,  for  commercial  purposes,  in  the  capitals  of 
Russia,  and  also  the  allowance  of  the  privilege  to  cultivate  land  in  the  vicinity 
of  Christian  settlements. 

"These  acts  of  His  Majesty's  high  favour  cannot  fail  to  elevate  the  com- 
mercial standing  of  His  Majesty's  Jewish  subjects,  and  by  affording  them 
still  greater  encouragement,  to  the  maintenance  of  social  intercourse  with 
thc;r  fellow  countrymen  of  other  religious  denominations,  must  necessarily 
lead  to  the  improvement  of  all  as  citizens  of  one  great  Empire. 

"  I  am  confidently  convinced  that  my  brethren  in  Russia  and  Poland 
understand  and  appreciate  the  benevolent  intentions  of  His  Imperial 
Majesty  ;  that  they  feel  assured  that  the  Emperor's  sole  object  is  to  im- 
prove their  condition,  and  that  they  are  impressed  with  the  conviction  th  t 
their  truest  wisdom  will  be  to  acquiesce  cheerfully  in  the  measures  designed 
for  their  welfare  by  their  powerful  and  enlightened  Sovereign,  and  to  adopt 
with  alacrity  the  course  which,  in  his  paternal  care,  His  Majesty  mav  direct. 

"  The  gracious  reception  which  His  Imperial  Majesty  has  already  given 
to  my  reports,  emboldens  me  to  hope  that  the  existing  restrictions  calculated 
to  impede  the  well-being  of  my  Russian  brethren  will  be  speedily  removed. 
By  this  means  1  feel  assured  will  not  only  their  happiness  and  prosperity  be 
promoted,  but  th.eir  character  as  good,  useful,  and  most  loyal  subjects  will  be 
abundantly  testified. 

"  I  trust  that  the  documents  to  which  I  have  referred  will  satisfy  the 
Committee  that  the  Israelites  of  His  Majesty's  Empire  are  not  of  an  icile  dis- 
position but,  on  the  contrary,  most  of  them  are  anxious  to  cultivate  land,  and 
even  pray  for  such  occupation,  and  that  under  the  fostering  protection  of  His 
Imperial  Majesty  they  will  gladly  apply  themselves  to  industrial  pursuits. 

"  On  the  whole,  my  heart  is  tilled  with  hope  that  the  honourable  and  dis- 
tincruished  Committee  will  take  into  consideration,  the  circumstances  of 
extreme  misery  in  which  the  great  body  of  Israelites  in  His  Majesty  s  Empire 
is  placed,  and  that  the  Committee  will  kindly  and  speedily  proceed  to  the 
arduous,  but  noble  and  sacred,  task  of  carrying  out  the  intentions  of  His 
Imperial  Majesty  to  a  most  happy  and  glorious  conclusion. 

"  In  fine  I  be"  to  express  to  your  Excellency  my  sincerest  acknowledg- 
ments lor  the  kind  and  condescending  manner  in  which  your  Excellency  was 


388      Diaries  of  Sir  Moses  and  Lady  Montefiore. 

pleased  to  convey  to  me  your  very  gratifying  communication  ;  and  with 
fervent  prayers  that  your  Excellency  may  soon  find  the  happy  opportunity  of 
signifying  to  me  some  good  tidings  of  the  progress  which  may  have  been 
made  in  the  further  extension  of  His  Imperial  Majesty's  favour  to  my 
brethren,  I  have  the  honour  to  remain,  with  the  most  profound  respect,  your 
Excellency's  humble  servant, 

(Signed)  "MoSES  MONTEFIORE." 

We  now  return  to  the  diary  of  1846,  in  the  entries  of  which, 
from  June  2Oth  to  the  end  of  the  year,  we  find  a  succession  of 
pleasing  evidences  of  the  motives  which  prompted  him  and 
Lady  Montefiore  to  undertake  the  journey  to  Russia. 

In  an  interview  which  he  had  with  Sir  Robert  Peel,  the 
latter  told  him  that  he  would  be  happy  to  do  everything,  either 
privatelyor  publicly,  to  forward  his  benevolent  objects  ;  that  he 
would  write  to  Count  Nesselrode  to  say  that  he  had  seen  the 
favourable  impression  made  on  the  public  mind  by  Sir  Moses' 
report  of  the  promises  made  to  him  ;  and  that,  if  His  Excellency 
rightly  valued  its  effect,  those  promises  would  in  the  result  be 
confirmed  by  their  strict  fulfilment. 

June  2&t/t. — Sir  Robert  conveyed  to  Sir  Moses,  in  a  letter 
dated  from  Osborne,  Isle  of  Wight,  the  gratifying  news  that 
Her  Majesty  had  conferred  on  him  the  dignity  of  Baronet  of 
the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland. 

"  I  have  the  satisfaction  of  acquainting  you,"  he  writes,  "  that 
the  Queen  has  been  graciously  pleased  to  confer  on  you  the 
dignity  of  a  baronet.  This  mark  of  Royal  favour  is  bestowed 
upon  you  in  consideration  of  your  high  character  and  eminent 
position  in  the  ranks  of  a  loyal  and  estimable  class  of  Her 
Majesty's  subjects  agreeing  with  you  in  religious  profession,  and 
n  the  hope  that  it  may  aid  your  truly  benevolent  efforts  to  im- 
prove the  social  condition  of  the  Jews  in  other  countries  by 
temperate  appeals  to  the  justice  and  humanity  of  their  rulers." 

The  honour  thereby  conferred  on  Sir  Moses  by  Her  Majesty 
was  not  only  a  cause  of  great  happiness  to  himself,  individually, 
but  also  a  source  of  the  highest  gratification  to  all  his  brethren 
in  the  British  Empire  and  on  the  continent,  inasmuch  as  it  un- 
doubtedly manifested  Her  Majesty's  solicitude  for  the  welfare  of 
all  the  Jews  in  other  parts  of  the  world. 

A  deputation  from  the  elders  of  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese 
Jews  Synagogue,  headed  by  their  President,  Mr  Hananel  de 
Castro,  waited  on  Sir  Moses  to  request,  in  the  name  of  their 


Attends  Entertainment  to  Ibrahim  Pas/ia.        389 

co-religionists,  that  he  would  sit  for  his  portrait,  to  be  placed  in 
the  Vestry-room,  to  which  he  consented. 

Sir  George  Hamilton,  whom  he  had  requested,  when  at 
Berlin,  to  present  a  petition  to  the  King  of  Prussia  in  favour  of 
the  Jews  at  Krakau,  informs  him  (June  I2th)  that,  when  dining 
with  his  Majesty  at  Sans  Souci,  he  had  an  opportunity  of 
speaking  to  him  on  the  subject  which  Sir  Moses  had  entreated 
him  to  explain  to  His  Majesty.  "The  King,"  he  wrote,  "was 
very  gracious  on  the  occasion ; "  and  he  sent  to  His  Majesty  the 
petition  prepared  by  Sir  Moses.  The  King  regretted  very 
much  not  to  have  seen  him  at  Berlin,  and  wished  Sir  Moses 
could  have  remained  there  until  his  return. 

The  good  offices  rendered  by  Sir  George  in  engaging  His 
Majesty's  favourable  consideration  on  the  subject  became  a 
cause  of  much  happiness  to  Sir  Moses. 

July  \\th. — He  attended  the  Lord  Mayor's  grand  entertain- 
ment given  to  His  Highness  Ibrahim  Pasha.  His  Lordship 
introduced  him  to  the  latter  before  dinner,  and  proposed  his 
health  to  the  company,  which  was  extremely  well  received. 

Sir  Moses  concludes  his  diary  for  the  year  with  expressions 
of  deep  gratitude  to  Heaven  for  all  mercies  bestowed  on  him 
and  his  affectionate  consort 


END  OF  VOL.  L 


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